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    An ultrathin suspended hydrophobic porous membrane for high-efficiency water desalination

    Year: 2017

    Journal: Appl. Mater. Today, Volume 9, DEC, page 1–9

    Authors: Perrotta, M. L.; Saielli, G.; Casella, G.; Macedonio, F.; Giorno, L.; Drioli, E.; Gugliuzza, A.

    Keywords: Porous HYFLON AD nanofilm; PES honeycomb texture; Thermal efficiency; Water desalination; Membrane distillation; Nanostructured membrane

    An ultrathin highly fluorinated porous membrane was designed for a large production of desalted water at very low energy consumption. Imprinting water droplets were used through a low thermally conductive tetra-fluoroethylene (TFE)/2,2,4-trifluoro-5-tri-fluorometoxy-1,3-dioxol (TIT) (HYFLON AD 60) solution and the generated porous nanofilm was suspended onto a polyethersulfone (PES) honeycomb texture. The very tiny fluorinated thickness together with a large number of small-shaped pores provided the membrane for enhanced anti-wetting surface properties, extremely reduced resistance to water vapor transfer and outstanding thermal efficiency. Fine materials structure-transport relations let the membrane reach unusual productivity-efficiency trade-off during water desalination via thermally driven membrane distillation. The exceptional performance affords this novel nanostructured membrane to catalyze the accomplishment of new-concept water desalination processes. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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