Ultrathin mineral interlayers regulate interfacial polymerization of polyamide nanofiltration membranes via multiple non-covalent and coordination bonding for rapid molecular separation

Polyamide (PA) nanofiltration membranes have raised considerable interest in the realm of water purification. However, balancing permeability and rejection remains a critical challenge in membrane science and technology. Herein, we report that weak non-covalent hydrogen bonds and strong coordination...

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Main Authors: Yan Zhu, Danwei Huang, Hongbo Xie, Zheyuan Liu, Fei-Fei Chen, Yan Yu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: KeAi Communications Co. Ltd. 2025-01-01
Series:Advanced Membranes
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772823425000375
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author Yan Zhu
Danwei Huang
Hongbo Xie
Zheyuan Liu
Fei-Fei Chen
Yan Yu
author_facet Yan Zhu
Danwei Huang
Hongbo Xie
Zheyuan Liu
Fei-Fei Chen
Yan Yu
author_sort Yan Zhu
collection DOAJ
description Polyamide (PA) nanofiltration membranes have raised considerable interest in the realm of water purification. However, balancing permeability and rejection remains a critical challenge in membrane science and technology. Herein, we report that weak non-covalent hydrogen bonds and strong coordination bonds between ultrathin calcium silicate (UCS) interlayers and piperazine (PIP) powerfully control its diffusion. Theoretical calculations reveal that coordination bonds dominate PIP binding on UCS with an adsorption energy of −443.83 ​kJ ​mol−1, thereby impeding its movement. The diffusion coefficient of PIP diminishes by 14 ​% upon the incorporation of UCS, as evidenced by molecular dynamics simulations. As a consequence, a superhydrophilic, smooth, loose, and ultrathin (∼18.9 ​nm) PA separation layer is created. The as-obtained UCS-interlayered PA possesses a remarkable water permeance of 31.7 ​L ​m−2 ​h−1 ​bar−1 that is 2.2-fold higher than that of UCS-free PA, while dye rejection rates keep a high level. Furthermore, the UCS-interlayered PA demonstrates exceptional antifouling performance with a 95 ​% flux recovery ratio and long-term stability during 16-h filtration. The study highlights the pivotal role of mineral interlayers in tailoring amine monomer diffusion via multiple interfacial interactions for advanced water treatment applications.
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publishDate 2025-01-01
publisher KeAi Communications Co. Ltd.
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series Advanced Membranes
spelling doaj-art-8bf103543e234d86bb7d40b9ac6985bd2025-08-20T03:30:09ZengKeAi Communications Co. Ltd.Advanced Membranes2772-82342025-01-01510016310.1016/j.advmem.2025.100163Ultrathin mineral interlayers regulate interfacial polymerization of polyamide nanofiltration membranes via multiple non-covalent and coordination bonding for rapid molecular separationYan Zhu0Danwei Huang1Hongbo Xie2Zheyuan Liu3Fei-Fei Chen4Yan Yu5Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials Technologies, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350108, ChinaKey Laboratory of Advanced Materials Technologies, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350108, ChinaKey Laboratory of Advanced Materials Technologies, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350108, ChinaKey Laboratory of Advanced Materials Technologies, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350108, ChinaCorresponding author.; Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials Technologies, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350108, ChinaCorresponding author.; Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials Technologies, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350108, ChinaPolyamide (PA) nanofiltration membranes have raised considerable interest in the realm of water purification. However, balancing permeability and rejection remains a critical challenge in membrane science and technology. Herein, we report that weak non-covalent hydrogen bonds and strong coordination bonds between ultrathin calcium silicate (UCS) interlayers and piperazine (PIP) powerfully control its diffusion. Theoretical calculations reveal that coordination bonds dominate PIP binding on UCS with an adsorption energy of −443.83 ​kJ ​mol−1, thereby impeding its movement. The diffusion coefficient of PIP diminishes by 14 ​% upon the incorporation of UCS, as evidenced by molecular dynamics simulations. As a consequence, a superhydrophilic, smooth, loose, and ultrathin (∼18.9 ​nm) PA separation layer is created. The as-obtained UCS-interlayered PA possesses a remarkable water permeance of 31.7 ​L ​m−2 ​h−1 ​bar−1 that is 2.2-fold higher than that of UCS-free PA, while dye rejection rates keep a high level. Furthermore, the UCS-interlayered PA demonstrates exceptional antifouling performance with a 95 ​% flux recovery ratio and long-term stability during 16-h filtration. The study highlights the pivotal role of mineral interlayers in tailoring amine monomer diffusion via multiple interfacial interactions for advanced water treatment applications.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772823425000375PolyamideCalcium silicateNanofiltration membranesInterlayersWater treatment
spellingShingle Yan Zhu
Danwei Huang
Hongbo Xie
Zheyuan Liu
Fei-Fei Chen
Yan Yu
Ultrathin mineral interlayers regulate interfacial polymerization of polyamide nanofiltration membranes via multiple non-covalent and coordination bonding for rapid molecular separation
Advanced Membranes
Polyamide
Calcium silicate
Nanofiltration membranes
Interlayers
Water treatment
title Ultrathin mineral interlayers regulate interfacial polymerization of polyamide nanofiltration membranes via multiple non-covalent and coordination bonding for rapid molecular separation
title_full Ultrathin mineral interlayers regulate interfacial polymerization of polyamide nanofiltration membranes via multiple non-covalent and coordination bonding for rapid molecular separation
title_fullStr Ultrathin mineral interlayers regulate interfacial polymerization of polyamide nanofiltration membranes via multiple non-covalent and coordination bonding for rapid molecular separation
title_full_unstemmed Ultrathin mineral interlayers regulate interfacial polymerization of polyamide nanofiltration membranes via multiple non-covalent and coordination bonding for rapid molecular separation
title_short Ultrathin mineral interlayers regulate interfacial polymerization of polyamide nanofiltration membranes via multiple non-covalent and coordination bonding for rapid molecular separation
title_sort ultrathin mineral interlayers regulate interfacial polymerization of polyamide nanofiltration membranes via multiple non covalent and coordination bonding for rapid molecular separation
topic Polyamide
Calcium silicate
Nanofiltration membranes
Interlayers
Water treatment
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772823425000375
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