Special Issue "Nanomaterials for Membranes, Membrane Reactors and Catalyst Systems"

A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991). This special issue belongs to the section "Energy and Catalysis".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2021).

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Gheorghe Nechifor
E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Analytical Chemistry and Environmental Engineering Department, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 011061, Romania
Interests: membrane materials, membranes and membrane processes; membrane reactors; clean and cleaning technologies; selective separation and sensing
Special Issues and Collections in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The impact of nanomaterials upon membrane science and technology continues to give an excellent argument to amplify the theoretical and experimental studies. Membranes and membrane processes represent the core high-technology domain in which nanomaterials have been capitalized for their entire physical, chemical, and technical-economic potential. Increasingly sophisticated membrane requirements such as: chemical and photochemical oxidation resistance; high selectivity; sensitivity to physical, chemical, and biological parameters; high flow at low pressures; and longer lifetime have led to the transition from classical material membranes to composite or liquid membranes based on reactive and/or functional nanomaterials.

This Special Issue aims to cover a broad range of subjects, from nanomaterials synthesis to the design and characterization of membranes, membrane processes, and technologies with nanomaterial integration.

We welcome the submission of full papers, communications, and reviews. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

  • Membrane nanomaterials (nanoparticles, nanocarriers, functional and/or reactive nanospecies, etc,);
  • Membrane processes based on nanomaterials;
  • Membrane reactors and catalyst systems;
  • Selective separation and sensing;
  • Nanomaterial-based cleaning technologies;
  • Nanomaterial membrane applications.

Prof. Dr. Gheorghe Nechifor
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Nanomaterials is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • nanomaterial membranes
  • membrane nanospecies
  • nanocarriers
  • nanoseparation
  • membrane reactors
  • selective separations
  • nanomaterial sensing
  • nanomaterial membrane applications

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

Article
Prevention in Thermal Crack Formation in Chabazite (CHA) Zeolite Membrane by Developing Thin Top Zeolite and Thick Intermediate Layers
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(8), 2113; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11082113 - 19 Aug 2021
Viewed by 272
Abstract
Chabazite (CHA) zeolite membranes with an intermediate layer of various thicknesses were prepared using planetary-milled seeds with an average particle diameter of 300, 250, 200, 140, and 120 nm. The 120 nm seed sample also contained several smaller particles with a diameter of [...] Read more.
Chabazite (CHA) zeolite membranes with an intermediate layer of various thicknesses were prepared using planetary-milled seeds with an average particle diameter of 300, 250, 200, 140, and 120 nm. The 120 nm seed sample also contained several smaller particles with a diameter of 20 nm. Such small seeds deeply penetrated into the pore channels of the α-alumina support during the vacuum-assisted infiltration process. During the secondary growth, the penetrated seeds formed a thick intermediate layer exiting between the zeolite layer and support. A decrease in seed size increased the penetration depth of seeds and the thickness of the intermediate layer, while the thickness of seed coating and zeolite layers was decreased. CHA zeolite membranes with a thin top zeoliate layer and a thick intermediate layer showed an excellent water/ethanol separation factor (>10,000) for 90 wt.% ethanol at 70 ℃ with a total flux of 1.5 kg m−2 h−1. There was no observation of thermal cracks/defects on the zeolite separation layer. The thick intermediate layer effectively suppressed the formation of thermal cracks during heating, since the tensile stress induced in the zeolite layer was well compensated by the compressive stress on the support. Therefore, it was successfully proven that controlling the microstructure of top surface and intermediate layers is an effective approach to improve the thermal stability of the CHA zeolite membrane. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials for Membranes, Membrane Reactors and Catalyst Systems)
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Article
Encapsulation of Polyphenols from Lycium barbarum Leaves into Liposomes as a Strategy to Improve Their Delivery
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(8), 1938; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11081938 - 28 Jul 2021
Viewed by 395
Abstract
This study is focused on the encapsulation of polyphenols from Lycium barbarum leaves into liposomes as a strategy to improve their delivery. Liposomes loaded with Lycium barbarum leaves extract were obtained and characterized for particle size, polydispersity, entrapment efficiency, and stability. Liposomes presented [...] Read more.
This study is focused on the encapsulation of polyphenols from Lycium barbarum leaves into liposomes as a strategy to improve their delivery. Liposomes loaded with Lycium barbarum leaves extract were obtained and characterized for particle size, polydispersity, entrapment efficiency, and stability. Liposomes presented entrapment efficiency higher than 75%, nanometric particle size, narrow polydispersity, and good stability over three months at 4 °C. The liposomes containing Lycium barbarum offered a slower release of polyphenols with attenuated burst effect compared with the dissolution of free Lycium barbarum extract in phosphate buffer solution at pH 7.4. Moreover, an in vitro pretreatment of 24 h with loaded liposomes showed a cytoprotective effect against H2O2-induced cytotoxicity on L-929 mouse fibroblasts cells. These preliminary findings imply that liposomes could be successfully employed as carriers for polyphenols in pharmaceutical applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials for Membranes, Membrane Reactors and Catalyst Systems)
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Article
Engineered Nanoparticles with Decoupled Photocatalysis and Wettability for Membrane-Based Desalination and Separation of Oil-Saline Water Mixtures
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(6), 1397; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11061397 - 25 May 2021
Viewed by 673
Abstract
Membrane-based separation technologies are the cornerstone of remediating unconventional water sources, including brackish and industrial or municipal wastewater, as they are relatively energy-efficient and versatile. However, membrane fouling by dissolved and suspended substances in the feed stream remains a primary challenge that currently [...] Read more.
Membrane-based separation technologies are the cornerstone of remediating unconventional water sources, including brackish and industrial or municipal wastewater, as they are relatively energy-efficient and versatile. However, membrane fouling by dissolved and suspended substances in the feed stream remains a primary challenge that currently prevents these membranes from being used in real practices. Thus, we directly address this challenge by applying a superhydrophilic and oleophobic coating to a commercial membrane surface which can be utilized to separate and desalinate an oil and saline water mixture, in addition to photocatalytically degrading the organic substances. We fabricated the photocatalytic membrane by coating a commercial membrane with an ultraviolet (UV) light-curable adhesive. Then, we sprayed it with a mixture of photocatalytic nitrogen-doped titania (N-TiO2) and perfluoro silane-grafted silica (F-SiO2) nanoparticles. The membrane was placed under a UV light, which resulted in a chemically heterogeneous surface with intercalating high and low surface energy regions (i.e., N-TiO2 and F-SiO2, respectively) that were securely bound to the commercial membrane surface. We demonstrated that the coated membrane could be utilized for continuous separation and desalination of an oil–saline water mixture and for simultaneous photocatalytic degradation of the organic substances adsorbed on the membrane surface upon visible light irradiation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials for Membranes, Membrane Reactors and Catalyst Systems)
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Article
Accessible Silver-Iron Oxide Nanoparticles as a Nanomaterial for Supported Liquid Membranes
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(5), 1204; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11051204 - 01 May 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 680
Abstract
The present study introduces the process performances of nitrophenols pertraction using new liquid supported membranes under the action of a magnetic field. The membrane system is based on the dispersion of silver–iron oxide nanoparticles in n-alcohols supported on hollow microporous polypropylene fibers. The [...] Read more.
The present study introduces the process performances of nitrophenols pertraction using new liquid supported membranes under the action of a magnetic field. The membrane system is based on the dispersion of silver–iron oxide nanoparticles in n-alcohols supported on hollow microporous polypropylene fibers. The iron oxide–silver nanoparticles are obtained directly through cyclic voltammetry electrolysis run in the presence of soluble silver complexes ([AgCl2]; [Ag(S2O3)2]3−; [Ag(NH3)2]+) and using pure iron electrodes. The nanostructured particles are characterized morphologically and structurally by scanning electron microscopy (SEM and HFSEM), EDAX, XRD, and thermal analysis (TG, DSC). The performances of the nitrophenols permeation process are investigated in a variable magnetic field. These studies show that the flux and extraction efficiency have the highest values for the membrane system embedding iron oxide–silver nanoparticles obtained electrochemically in the presence of [Ag(NH3)2]+ electrolyte. It is demonstrated that the total flow of nitrophenols through the new membrane system depends on diffusion, convection, and silver-assisted transport. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials for Membranes, Membrane Reactors and Catalyst Systems)
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Article
Comparative Study of CoFe2O4 Nanoparticles and CoFe2O4-Chitosan Composite for Congo Red and Methyl Orange Removal by Adsorption
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(3), 711; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11030711 - 12 Mar 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 629
Abstract
(1) Background: A comparative research study to remove Congo Red (CR) and Methyl Orange (MO) from single and binary solutions by adsorption onto cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) and cobalt ferrite–chitosan composite (CoFe2O4-Chit) prepared by a simple [...] Read more.
(1) Background: A comparative research study to remove Congo Red (CR) and Methyl Orange (MO) from single and binary solutions by adsorption onto cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) and cobalt ferrite–chitosan composite (CoFe2O4-Chit) prepared by a simple coprecipitation method has been performed. (2) Methods: Structural, textural, morphology, and magnetic properties of the obtained magnetic materials were examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, N2 adsorption–desorption analysis, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and magnetic measurements. The optimal operating conditions of the CR and MO removal processes were established in batch experiments. The mathematical models used to describe the processes at equilibrium were Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption isotherms. (3) Results: Cobalt ferrite–chitosan composite has a lower specific surface area (SBET) and consequently a lower adsorption capacity than cobalt ferrite. CoFe2O4 and CoFe2O4–Chit particles exhibited a superparamagnetic behavior which enabled their efficient magnetic separation after the adsorption process. The research indicates that CR and MO adsorption onto prepared magnetic materials takes place as monolayer onto a homogeneous surface. According to Langmuir isotherm model that best fits the experimental data, the maximum CR/MO adsorption capacity is 162.68/94.46 mg/g for CoFe2O4 and 15.60/66.18 mg/g for CoFe2O4–Chit in single solutions. The results of the kinetics study revealed that in single-component solutions, both pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order kinetics models represent well the adsorption process of CR/MO on both magnetic adsorbents. In binary solutions, adsorption of CR/MO on CoFe2O4 better follows the pseudo-second-order kinetics model, while the kinetic of CR/MO adsorption on CoFe2O4–Chit is similar to that of the dyes in single-component solutions. Acetone and ethanol were successfully used as desorbing agents. (4) Conclusions: Our study revealed that CoFe2O4 and CoFe2O4–Chit particles are good candidates for dye-contaminated wastewater remediation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials for Membranes, Membrane Reactors and Catalyst Systems)
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Article
Control of Nanostructured Polysulfone Membrane Preparation by Phase Inversion Method
Nanomaterials 2020, 10(12), 2349; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10122349 - 26 Nov 2020
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 720
Abstract
The preparation of membranes from polymer solutions by the phase inversion method, the immersion—precipitation technique has proved since the beginning of obtaining technological membranes the most versatile and simple possibility to create polymeric membrane nanostructures. Classically, the phase inversion technique involves four essential [...] Read more.
The preparation of membranes from polymer solutions by the phase inversion method, the immersion—precipitation technique has proved since the beginning of obtaining technological membranes the most versatile and simple possibility to create polymeric membrane nanostructures. Classically, the phase inversion technique involves four essential steps: Preparation of a polymer solution in the desired solvent, the formation of the polymer solution film on a flat support, the immersion of the film in a coagulation bath containing polymer solvents, and membrane conditioning. All phase inversion stages are important for the prepared membrane’s nanostructure and have been studied in detail for more than six decades. In this paper, we explored, through an electrochemical technique, the influence of the contact time with the polymer film’s environment until the introduction into the coagulation bath. The system chosen for membrane preparation is polysulfone-dimethylformamide-aqueous ethanol solution (PSf-DMF-EW). The obtained nanostructured membranes were characterized morphologically and structurally by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and thermal analysis (TA), and in terms of process performance through water permeation and bovine serum albumin retention (BSA). The membrane characteristics were correlated with the polymeric film exposure time to the environment until the contact with the coagulation bath, following the diagram of the electrochemical parameters provided by the electrochemical technique. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials for Membranes, Membrane Reactors and Catalyst Systems)
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Article
Disposable Stochastic Sensors Based on Nanolayer Deposition(s) of Silver and AgC Composite on Plastic for the Assay of α-amylase in Whole Blood and Saliva
Nanomaterials 2020, 10(8), 1528; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10081528 - 04 Aug 2020
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 774
Abstract
Nanolayer deposition(s) of Ag and AgC composite on a plastic substrate was used to design disposable stochastic sensors. Three shapes of nanocoatings were tested. The first shape was obtained by deposition of a nanofilm of Ag on the plastic material; the second shape [...] Read more.
Nanolayer deposition(s) of Ag and AgC composite on a plastic substrate was used to design disposable stochastic sensors. Three shapes of nanocoatings were tested. The first shape was obtained by deposition of a nanofilm of Ag on the plastic material; the second shape was obtained by deposition of a composite AgC nanolayer on the plastic material; the third shape was obtained by nanolayer deposition of a composite material of AgC on the top of the Ag nanofilm deposited on the plastic material. α-Cyclodextrin was used to modify the active surface of the sensor. Wide linear concentration ranges were obtained as follows: for de-assay of α-amylase in whole blood: 1.00 × 10−7–1.00 × 103 U mL−1 and for the assay of α-amylase in saliva: 1.5 × 10−15–1.5 × 102 U mL−1. α-Amylase was reliably determined from whole blood and saliva samples using the proposed disposable stochastic sensors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials for Membranes, Membrane Reactors and Catalyst Systems)
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