Superhydrophobic Membranes with Ordered Arrays of Nanospiked Microchannels for Water Desalination

    Authors

    Z. Y. Ma; Y. Hong; L. Y. Ma;M. Su

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    Langmuir

    Keywords

    FLUX ENHANCEMENT; DISTILLATION; POLYMER; SURFACES; FABRICATION; MECHANISMS; TRANSPORT; OSMOSIS; STATES; FILMS; Chemistry, Multidisciplinary; Chemistry, Physical; Materials Science, ; Multidisciplinary

    Abstract

    Membrane distillation can desalinate seawater using low-grade heat energy or solar heat, but it has limited mass fluxes and membrane fouling issues. Glass membranes with integrated arrays of nanospiked microchannels and a narrow pore size distribution are made through a process that involves glass fiber drawing, dissolving template material from microchannels and differential chemical etching. After surface modification, superhydrophobic glass membranes with water contact angles of over 160 degrees are produced because of the formations of ordered arrays of spiked nanostructures. The superhydrophobic membrane has shown better antifouling ability and higher flux than those of existing polymer membranes, especially at high salt concentration, owing to its large pore diameter, straight pore shape, narrow pore size distribution, high clinical and thermal stabilities, and water-repelling ability.

    Journal Title

    Langmuir

    Volume

    25

    Issue/Number

    10

    Publication Date

    1-1-2009

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    5446

    Last Page

    5450

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000266081000007

    ISSN

    0743-7463

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