Contact
    Start Publications Toward microvascular network-embedded self-healing membranes
    ←  Publication Finder
    Attension

    Toward microvascular network-embedded self-healing membranes

    Year: 2017

    Journal: J. Membr. Sci., Volume 531, JUN 1, page 94–102

    Authors: Kim, Sang-Ryoung; Getachew, Bezawit A.; Kim, Jae-Hong

    Organizations: International Cooperation Program for Industrial Technologies - Korea government Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy [N0001232]

    Keywords: Self-healing; Membrane; Microvascular; Diisocyanate; Water treatment

    A membrane that can autonomously self-heal from physical damage was fabricated by embedding a network of fluorinated ethylene propylene capillary tubes that contain a reactive healing agent, methylene diphenyl diisocyanate, inside the membrane. Upon membrane damage, the healing agent is released from the tubes and undergoes water-induced phase separation that increases its viscosity. The viscous healing agent further reacts with water, forming an expanded polyurethane/polyurea matrix that fills and plugs the damage area. After self healing of the damage, the microvascular membrane's rejection was restored back to 82% of its original value without a need to stop filtration. Scanning electron microscopic and confocal laser scanning microscopic images confirmed the formation of a solid structure that blocks the damaged area. The results of this study suggest that microvascular networks provide a new architecture for the fabrication of self-healing membranes with significant improvement over microcapsule-embedded self-healing membrane design.
    View publication