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US 10,702,815 B2Granted
Nanostructured fibrous membranes for membrane distillation
AssigneeThe Research Foundation for The State University of New York
InventorsBenjamin Chu, Benjamin S. Hsiao
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Membranes suitable for use in membrane distillation are provided. Such membranes may include nano-fibrous layers with adjustable pore sizes. The membranes may include a hydrophobic nano fibrous scaffold and a thin hydrophilic protecting layer that can significantly reduce fouling and scaling problems.
Claims14
A method for producing a membrane comprising:
- applying to a substrate a hydrophobic nanofibrous scaffold including a hydrophobic polymer selected from the group consisting of polystyrenes, polyolefins, polysulfones, fluoropolymers, polyesters, polycarbonates, polynitriles, polyacrylates, polyacetates, polyvinyl chloride, polyacrylic acids, polymethacrylic acids, polysiloxanes, cross-linked forms thereof, derivatives thereof and copolymers thereof, the hydrophobic nanofibrous scaffold including fibers having a diameter from about 1 nm to about 2,000 nm;
- casting a hydrophilic polymer solution selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohol, polysaccharides, polyalkylene oxides, ethylene glycols, gelatin, derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof, onto the nanofibrous scaffold;
- cross-linking the polymer solution to form a hydrophilic protecting layer having a thickness from about 10 nm to about 30 μm on the nanofibrous scaffold;
- and
- recovering a membrane suitable for membrane distillation.
2 more elements
A method for producing a membrane comprising:
- applying to a substrate a hydrophobic nanofibrous scaffold including a hydrophobic polymer selected from the group consisting of polystyrenes, polyolefins, polysulfones, fluoropolymers, polyesters, polycarbonates, polynitriles, polyacrylates, polyacetates, polyvinyl chloride, polyacrylic acids, polymethacrylic acids, polysiloxanes, cross-linked forms thereof, derivatives thereof and copolymers thereof, the hydrophobic nanofibrous scaffold including fibers having a diameter from about 1 nm to about 2,000 nm;
- casting a hydrophilic polymer solution selected from polyalkylene oxides, ethylene glycols, gelatin, derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof, onto the nanofibrous scaffold;
- cross-linking the polymer solution to form a hydrophilic protecting layer having a thickness from about 10 nm to about 30 μm on the nanofibrous scaffold;
- and
- recovering a membrane suitable for membrane distillation.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.