Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/85027
Title: Polyvinylidene fluoride membrane modification via oxidant-induced dopamine polymerization for sustainable direct-contact membrane distillation
Authors: Chew, Nick Guan Pin
Zhao, Shanshan
Malde, Chandresh
Wang, Rong
Keywords: Membrane Distillation
Surfactant
Engineering::Environmental engineering::Water treatment
Issue Date: 2018
Source: Chew, N. G. P., Zhao, S., Malde, C., & Wang, R. (2018). Polyvinylidene fluoride membrane modification via oxidant-induced dopamine polymerization for sustainable direct-contact membrane distillation. Journal of Membrane Science, 563, 31-42. doi:10.1016/j.memsci.2018.05.035
Series/Report no.: Journal of Membrane Science
Abstract: Porous hydrophobic polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes have been extensively used in direct-contact membrane distillation (DCMD) processes. However, these PVDF membranes are vulnerable to membrane fouling and pore wetting in low surface tension feeds, restricting its application for water recovery from challenging industrial wastewaters. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to engineer fouling- and wetting-resistant MD membranes for robust long-term applications. In this study, a superoleophobic composite hollow fiber membrane with sandwich structure has been developed via accelerated oxidant-induced polydopamine (PDA) deposition on both the outer and inner surfaces of a commercial hydrophobic PVDF membrane under slightly acidic conditions (pH = 5). The modified surface prevents organics adhesion ascribing to its underwater superoleophobicity while the unmodified pores remain hydrophobic for vapor transport. The long-term robustness of the PDA-decorated membrane in highly saline feeds containing low surface tension contaminants has been evaluated via bench-scale DCMD experiments. In contrast to the pristine PVDF membrane, the PDA-decorated membrane exhibits excellent fouling- and wetting-resistant properties in different surfactant solutions as well as oil-in-water emulsion. The PDA-decorated membrane has also been used for seawater desalination, during which it maintains a stable flux and high salt rejection rate. Furthermore, the PDA-decorated membrane presents a flux enhancement of up to 70% over the pristine PVDF membrane in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution at 333 K. This study demonstrates the potential of the PDA-decorated membrane for extended DCMD applications such as water recovery from industrial wastewater containing low surface tension substances.
URI: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/85027
http://hdl.handle.net/10220/50426
ISSN: 0376-7388
DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2018.05.035
Schools: School of Civil and Environmental Engineering 
Interdisciplinary Graduate School (IGS) 
Organisations: Singapore Membrane Technology Centre
Research Centres: Nanyang Environment and Water Research Institute 
Rights: © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. This paper was published in Journal of Membrane Science and is made available with permission of Elsevier B.V.
Fulltext Permission: open
Fulltext Availability: With Fulltext
Appears in Collections:CEE Journal Articles
IGS Journal Articles
NEWRI Journal Articles

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