Triple layer hydrophobic-hydrophilic membrane for membrane distillation applications

A multi-layered structure for membrane distillation comprising:

• a microporous layer having a first surface and a second surface;
• a hydrophobic electrospun nanofiber layer disposed on said first surface of said microporous layer, wherein said electrospun nanofiber layer has a larger contact angle than the contact angle of said microporous layer to prevent wetting of said microporous layer, and
• an outer surface of said electrospun nanofiber layer for adjoining a distilland, wherein said distilland comprises liquid for distillation, and said electrospun nanofiber layer acts as a liquid-vapor interface for withstanding a minimum predefined liquid entry pressure of distilland;
• and
• a hydrophilic backing layer disposed on said second surface of said microporous layer, wherein said backing layer has a smaller contact angle than the contact angle of said microporous layer to increase absorption of water vapor at said backing layer, and
• an outer surface of said backing layer for adjoining a distillate area for receiving a distillate wherein said distillate comprises liquid condensing from vapor passing through said multi-layered structure.