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Water separation revolutionized by ultrathin carbon nanomembranes

CORDIS provides links to public deliverables and publications of HORIZON projects.

Links to deliverables and publications from FP7 projects, as well as links to some specific result types such as dataset and software, are dynamically retrieved from OpenAIRE .

Deliverables

HIM imaging study of CNM-composites (opens in new window)

HIM imaging study of CNM-composites, which contains optimized imaging conditions for verifying successful preparation and homogeneity of the free-standing CNM within the track-etched pores of the support. In addition, sample preparation protocols and imaging conditions for characterizing bended CNM-composites will be given.

Results of stability tests of CNM-composites (opens in new window)

Report on the stability of up-scaled CNM-composites by laboratory tests, which address fouling behavior and time-depended performance measurements.

Bench-marking CNM-based UPW with state-of-the-art (opens in new window)

Lab-scale systems and pilot-scale systems with implemented CNM-composites with optimized operating parameters for pressure driven polishing will be compared with state-of-the-art. This includes evaluation of pre-treatment steps, module staging, flow speed, and recovery rate.

Tool for modelling systems and semi pilots fully functional (opens in new window)

Report on the development of a tool evaluating the filtration rate and associated power consumption of complex filtration systems, based on the system design, feed water characteristics, membrane characteristics and operating conditions. The tool will be based on a modular concept, through which system elements, such as filtration modules or pumps, are assembled to build a virtual model of a filtration system.

Results of coupon testing with CNM-composites (opens in new window)

Report of coupon testing of CNM-composites in filtration cells. Experimental setup: membrane holder, spacer, hydraulics, water type, analytics of CNM-composite. From experimental runs we establish membrane water–solute separation characteristics: relative flux, cut-off sizes etc.

Interim meeting2 report (opens in new window)

Minutes of the 2nd interim meeting

Technical/scientific review meeting1 documents (opens in new window)

Draft agenda, list of participants, list of presentations of the 1st review meeting

Improved design model for flux and separation optimization (opens in new window)

Description of an improved design model, which rationalizes the results of the experimental work. Based on the transport measurements, we will model the pore size distribution in CNMs and compare it with the structural data available. Most efforts will be put to understand the separation mechanism of CNMs for different aqueous media (Size exclusion, Donnan’s effect, and dielectric mechanism as a function of solutes nature). Undesired phenomena such as concentration polarization will be addressed as well.

Design model for mechanical stability optimization (opens in new window)

Description of a design model, which links the role of CNMs’ micro- and nanoscale structure on their mechanical performance for tensile and compressive loading as well as fracture toughness (dry and wet). Identification of critical structural and loading conditions for performance, temperature effects (creep, weight loss). Multilayered CNM structures will be also studied and their fracture behavior will be examined to finally define the best number of layers for better mechanical resistance without permeance tradeoff. The minimum support thickness for efficient separation will also be determined. The scalability of the results will be investigated, to correlate the mechanical performance with the desired scale up dimensions.

Results of permeation experiments with single-component (opens in new window)

Report on permeation experiments with single-components (gas, organic liquids). We test a variety of CNMs regarding their water permeance and selectivity in cup tests and entrance effects for track-etched supports. We further explore effects of the size of components, temperatures, multilayered behavior as well as solubility of components in water by performing permeation experiments with single-components (gas, organic liquids). Furthermore, we will use a dedicated custom-made liquid cell in a standard biophysical electrophysiology setup to determine the transmembrane ionic resistance of the CNMs. We will explore the effects of ion polarity, size, salt mobilities, temperature, as well as solubility by performing permeation experiments with salt solutions.

Kick-off meeting report (opens in new window)

Minutes of the kick-off meeting

Review meeting report (opens in new window)

Minutes of the 1st review meeting

Final review meeting report (opens in new window)

Minutes of the final review meeting

OPEX/CAPEX analyses for UPW and CC cases (opens in new window)

The efficiency for systems with CNM-composites for pressure driven polishing as well as FO-based cold concentration will be evaluated in terms of OPEX/CAPEX economics and compared with state-of-the-art methods.

Mechanical study of CNMs and CNM-composites (opens in new window)

Mechanical study of CNMs and CNM-composites: Characterization of the mechanical behavior of supported CNMs in CNM-composites will be performed by characterizing the CNMs in tensile, bending and impact experiments. Mechanics of the support-CNM interface will be investigated as function of bending states, elastic strain range, stress due to bending of the support, quantifying the adherence force between the CNMs and the support.

Design model for flux and separation optimization (opens in new window)

Description of a first design model, which rationalizes the results of the experimental work. Based on the transport measurements, we will model the pore size distribution in CNMs and compare it with the structural data available. Most efforts will be put to understand the separation mechanism of CNMs for different aqueous media (Size exclusion, Donnan’s effect, and dielectric mechanism as a function of solutes nature). Undesired phenomena such as concentration polarization will be addressed as well.

Technical/scientific review meeting2 documents (opens in new window)

Draft agenda, list of participants, list of presentations of the final review meeting

Manual for analyzing structure and composition of CNMs (opens in new window)

The most effective strategies for analyzing CNMs will be reported. Currently, Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) is the only method for a quantitative measure of the sub-nanometer-sized nanopore network in CNM. We will use and develop this technique for a characterization and quality control of the CNM surface morphology in vacuum, ambient and water environment. In addition, Helium Ion Microscopy (HIM), X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Infrared and Raman Spectroscopy will be considered as part of the analyzing strategy.

Study about cleaning of CNM-composites (opens in new window)

Study about cleaning of CNM-composites: We evaluate anti-fouling strategies of CNM-composites with existing cleaning technologies. Examining biofilm formation is planned with SEM, FISH, ATP, and cell counts.

Concepts for optimized module design (opens in new window)

Concepts for optimized module design: We investigate the optimal CNM module design to be used in full application. Design requirements such as the need for easy cleaning, high packing densities, cost effective operation and membrane replacement, appropriate flow pattern to reduce internal and external concentration polarization both for FO and RO; Spacer requirements, anti-scalants, cleaning procedures.

Results of permeation experiments with mixtures (opens in new window)

Report on permeation experiments with mixtures of water and other components. We test a variety of CNMs regarding their water permeance and selectivity in cup tests and entrance effects for track-etched supports. We further explore effects of the size of components, temperatures, multilayered behavior as well as solubility of components in water by performing permeation experiments with mixtures of water and other components. We will use a dedicated custom-made liquid cell in a standard biophysical electrophysiology setup to determine the transmembrane ionic resistance of the CNMs. We will explore the effects of ion polarity, size, salt mobilities, temperature, as well as solubility by performing permeation experiments with aqueous mixtures of ions and other components

Module simulator is operational (opens in new window)

Report on the development of a module simulator for long-term testing of modules/cassettes (in particular for determining the fouling behavior). The results from Task 3.1 will be used to develop a module simulator, which than will be used in semi-pilots to tests applicability of CNMs. This development includes the integration of membranes with spacers into module simulators as well as protocols for material analysis of used modules/membranes.

Dissemination and exploitation plan (opens in new window)

Update of the dissemination and exploitation plan

Interim meeting1 report (opens in new window)

Minutes of the 1st interim meeting.

Comparison of alternative supports vs. track-etched supports (opens in new window)

Comparison of alternative supports vs. track-etched supports. Several alternative supports will be explored to achieve CNM-composites which preserve the benefits of pristine CNMs and enhance their ability to withstand mechanical stress during operation. These pathways include the use and optimization of polymer membranes as well as photolithographically patterned support structures. The performance of the most promising supports will be compared with track-etched supports.

Bench-marking CNM-based CC with state-of-the-art (opens in new window)

Lab-scale systems and pilot-scale systems with implemented CNM-composites with optimized operating parameters for FO-based cold concentration will be compared with state-of-the-art. This includes evaluation of pre-treatment steps, flow speed, type of draw solution, reverse solute flux and feed up-concentration factor.

Publications

Enhanced nanofluidic transport in activated carbon nanoconduits (opens in new window)

Author(s): Theo Emmerich; Kalangi S. Vasu; Antoine Niguès; Ashok Keerthi; Boya Radha; Alessandro Siria; Lydéric Bocquet
Published in: Nature Materials, Issue 21, 2022, Page(s) 696-702, ISSN 1476-1122
Publisher: Nature Publishing Group
DOI: 10.1038/s41563-022-01229-x

Defect-Healed Carbon Nanomembranes for Enhanced Salt Separation: Scalable Synthesis and Performance (opens in new window)

Author(s): Zhen Yao, Pengfei Li, Kuo Chen, Yang Yang, André Beyer, Michael Westphal, Qingshan Jason Niu, Armin Gölzhäuser
Published in: ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, Issue 16, 2024, Page(s) 22614-22621, ISSN 1944-8244
Publisher: American Chemical Society
DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c00252

Water flow decrease of track-etched polyethylene terephthalate membranes (opens in new window)

Author(s): Ana Ambrož, Zhen Yao, Christopher Rojas, Polina Angelova, Armin Gölzhäuser, Irena Petrinić
Published in: Journal of Membrane Science, Issue 733, 2025, Page(s) 124294, ISSN 0376-7388
Publisher: Elsevier BV
DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2025.124294

Scalable Synthesis of Carbon Nanomembranes from Amorphous Molecular Layers (opens in new window)

Author(s): Zhen Yao; Nikolaus Meyerbröker; Yubo Qi; Julian Cremer; Michael Westphal; Dario Anselmetti; Yang Yang; Armin Gölzhäuser
Published in: ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, Issue 15, 2023, Page(s) 41101–41108, ISSN 1944-8244
Publisher: American Chemical Society
DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c07369

Influence of porous support structure and the possible presence of active layer defects on FO membrane behaviour (opens in new window)

Author(s): Mattia Giagnorio; Begüm Tanis; Claus Hélix-Nielsen; Fynn Jerome Aschmoneit
Published in: Separation and Purification Technology, Issue 330, 2024, Page(s) 125182, ISSN 1383-5866
Publisher: Pergamon Press Ltd.
DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2023.125182

Photocatalytic Activity of TiO2 Coatings Obtained at Room Temperature on a Polymethyl Methacrylate Substrate (opens in new window)

Author(s): Mairis Iesalnieks; Raivis Eglītis; Tālis Juhna; Krišjānis Šmits; Andris Šutka
Published in: International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Issue 23, 2022, Page(s) 12936, ISSN 1422-0067
Publisher: Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)
DOI: 10.3390/ijms232112936

Unified non-equilibrium simulation methodology for flow through nanoporous carbon membrane (opens in new window)

Author(s): Geoffrey Monet; Marie-Laure Bocquet; Lydéric Bocquet
Published in: The Journal of Chemical Physics, Issue 159, 2023, Page(s) 014501, ISSN 0021-9606
Publisher: American Institute of Physics
DOI: 10.1063/5.0146628

Aligned macrocycle pores in ultrathin films for accurate molecular sieving (opens in new window)

Author(s): Zhiwei Jiang, Ruijiao Dong, Austin M. Evans, Niklas Biere, Mahmood A. Ebrahim, Siyao Li, Dario Anselmetti, William R. Dichtel, Andrew G. Livingston
Published in: Nature, Issue 609, 2022, Page(s) 58-64, ISSN 0028-0836
Publisher: Nature Publishing Group
DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-05032-1

Long-term memory and synapse-like dynamics in two-dimensional nanofluidic channels (opens in new window)

Author(s): P. Robin; T. Emmerich; A. Ismail; A. Niguès; Y. You; G.-H. Nam; A. Keerthi; A. Siria; A. K. Geim; B. Radha; L. Bocquet
Published in: Science, Issue 379, 2023, Page(s) 161-167, ISSN 0036-8075
Publisher: American Association for the Advancement of Science
DOI: 10.1126/science.adc9931

Nanomechanics of Ultrathin Carbon Nanomembranes (opens in new window)

Author(s): Marinos Dimitropoulos; George Trakakis; Nikolaus Meyerbröker; Raphael Gehra; Polina Angelova; Albert Schnieders; Christos Pavlou; Christos Kostaras; Costas Galiotis; Konstantinos Dassios
Published in: Nanomaterials, Issue 13, 2023, Page(s) 267, ISSN 2079-4991
Publisher: MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/nano13020267

Advances in carbon nanomembranes for separation: from free-standing films to composite structures (opens in new window)

Author(s): Ana Ambrož, Albert Schnieders, Claus Hélix-Nielsen, Armin Gölzhäuser, Irena Petrinić
Published in: Nanoscale, Issue 17, 2025, Page(s) 17004-17015, ISSN 2040-3364
Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry
DOI: 10.1039/d4nr05361c

Pyrene‐Derived Carbon Nanomembranes Selectively Pass Metal Ions in Water (opens in new window)

Author(s): Qi, Yubo; Yang, Yang; Westphal, Michael; Ennen, Inga; Cremer, Julian; Anselmetti, Dario; Hütten, Andreas; Gölzhäuser, Armin; Dementyev, Petr
Published in: Advanced Materials Interfaces, Issue 9, 2022, Page(s) 2201385, ISSN 2196-7350
Publisher: Wiley-VCH GmbH
DOI: 10.1002/admi.202201385

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