Nanofibrous Membranes for High Performance Wastewater Microfiltration

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue is motived by observed growing interests in the design, fabrication, modification, and application of nanofibrous membranes (NMs) in wastewater treatment by filtration process. Membrane-based separation technologies are environmental separation processes that are focused on solving the global water scarcity problem because they allow an efficient, economical, and environmentally friendly treatment of water.

The numerous advantages of NMs in microfiltration applications include their highly porous and interconnected pore structure, micron-scaled interstitial space, controllable thickness, and large surface area to volume ratio. These outstanding properties render NMs one of the most cost-effective alternatives to successfully compete with conventional separation processes for the treatment of different types of wastewaters. However, the main obstacle that restricts the application of membranes in wastewater treatment is membrane fouling, which usually lowers the water productivity, deteriorates membrane separation capability (i.e., reduction of the permeate quality), shortens membrane lifespan and, consequently, increases operation and maintenance costs. Fouling originates from the interaction between a membrane surface and foulants, and, thus, it is strongly influenced by the physicochemical properties of the membrane surface, such as pore size and its geometry, charge density, roughness, and hydrophilicity. Therefore, it is of great importance to design and develop new NMs with optimized surface properties to reduce fouling in order to overcome the aforementioned limitations.

In general, this Special Issue is oriented towards all types of nanofibrous membranes and modifications, innovations in materials, improvements in electrospinning technology and process control to allow consistent production of nanofiber mats, advanced multiple functionalities (physical, chemical, and biological functionalities) in order to improve high-performance filtration.

Considering your prominent contribution to this interesting research field, I would like to cordially invite you to submit a paper to this Special Issue through the webpage of the journal (S.I. Nanofibrous Membranes for High-Performance Wastewater Filtration). The manuscript should be submitted online before 30 November 2020. The submitted manuscripts will then be fast-track reviewed. I would very much appreciate it if you could let me know of your interest in contributing a paper at your earliest convenience. Full papers, communications, and reviews are all welcome.

Prof. María del Carmen García Payo
Guest Editor

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