Nanofiltration membrane based on carbon nanotube fibers and method for fabricating the same

Abstract

Provided are a nanofiltration membrane based on carbon nanotube fibers (CNTFs) and a method for fabricating the same. The method includes: embedding one or more CNTF(s) in a resin to form an embedded block; and slicing the embedded block to obtain a nanofiltration membrane of target thickness, with cross-sections of CNTs exposed on both surfaces of the nanofiltration membrane. By first embedding the CNTFs in resin and then slicing the resulting block to the desired thickness, facile fabrication of a CNTF-based nanofiltration membrane is realized. Since a CNTF is a macroscopic assemblage of CNTs, every cross-section of the CNTF contains a dense array of CNT pores that act as inlet/outlet ports for molecular transport. Because both surfaces of the sliced membrane expose these CNTF cross-sections, the carbon nanotubes traverse the entire membrane thickness, markedly increasing the number of effective transport channels and thereby delivering high flux.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.