Thin-film composite nanofiltration membranes prepared by electropolymerization

Abstract

A novel approach to preparation of composite asymmetric nanofiltration membranes is reported based on a thin selective layer deposited by electropolymerization (EP) on top of an asymmetrically porous and electronically conductive porous support. Support films with ultrafiltration characteristics were cast from a concentrated dispersion of carbon black particles, a few tens of nanometers large, in a solution of polysulfone followed by precipitation in a non-solvent bath (phase inversion). Composite membranes with poly(phenylene oxide) and polyaniline thin top layers were prepared by EP deposition from solutions of phenol and aniline, respectively, of which polyaniline film demonstrated a dense uniform structure and water flux and rejection to sucrose and magnesium sulfate in the nanofiltration range.

Polyaniline-Coated Carbon Nanotube Ultrafiltration Membranes: Enhanced Anodic Stability for In Situ Cleaning and Electro-Oxidation Processes

“…A similar trend was described by Benson et al (2013) who electropolymerized PANI on CNTs in a hydrochloric acid medium and reported that higher current densities increased PANI thickness and decreased surface porosity . Furthermore, Gloukhovski et al were able to fabricate dense nanofiltration membranes by electropolymerizing a PANI coating on an electrically conductive support layer at high current densities (3.78 mA cm –2 ) …”

“…48 Furthermore, Gloukhovski et al were able to fabricate dense nanofiltration membranes by electropolymerizing a PANI coating on an electrically conductive support layer at high current densities (3.78 mA cm −2 ). 46 3.1.3. Membrane Rejection Properties.…”

“…Another approach, fabrication through electrochemical polymerization, has demonstrated improved mechanical properties and higher electrical and ionic conductivity. − Electrochemical polymerization under acidic conditions produces PANI in the “emeraldine” form, which is the electrically conducting form of PANI. − The acidic dopant has been demonstrated to influence the electropolymerized material in terms of structure and rate. Examples include Desilvestro et al (1993) who observed that polymerization rates of PANI from aqueous acidic solutions were influenced by the acid dopant in which they were fabricated, with the electropolymerization reaction occurring faster from an aqueous solution of sulfuric acid then from an aqueous solution of hydrochloric acid.…”

Electro-Conductive Membranes for Permeation Enhancement and Fouling Mitigation: A Short Review

“…The electrically conducting form of PANI is emeraldine, which is obtained through the electrochemical polymerization of PANI under acidic condition ( Figure 10 ) [ 32 , 129 , 130 , 131 , 132 ].…”

Characterization of Copolymer Based in Polyurethane and Polyaniline (PU/PANI)

“…Conducting polymer as molecular wires is an excellent choice because of their long p-conjugation length as well as their high metal conductivity [1]. In recent years, polymer-polyaniline (PANI) conductive polymeric composites have received considerable attention because of their potential applications in electrodes, biosensors, batteries, antistatic coatings, gas sensors, membranes and light emitting diodes [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] PANI is a conducting polymer [15] which has been extensively studied due to its relatively high conductivity and potential application in electronic devices. The general formula for ideal PANI materials in their base forms consists in three (-C 6 H 4 -NH-) benzenoid units and one (-N=C 6 H 4 =N-) quinoid unit [16].…”