Anna Siekierka

Modification of membranes is widely used for altering their separation properties. In this study, the modification of PVDF nanofiber mat by deposition of polyamide layers was evaluated to improve dye recovery by means of forward osmosis process. The polyamide active layer was prepared by a reaction of cyclic aromatic amines, m-phenylenediamine, or piperazine, and trimesoylchloride. The modification progress was monitored by FTIR analysis, water uptake, nitrogen content, and grafting yields. Investigated membranes showed an excellent dye separation features with water flux and dye fluxes strongly related to type of applied amines and reaction time. The best obtained membrane demonstrated outstanding performance in forward osmosis; their water flux was 3.3 LMH and rejection rate of 97% for bromocresol green dye. The membrane allowed increase dye concentration by 50% after 24 h of the process.

The mass production of lithium-ion batteries and lithium-rich e-products that are required for electric vehicles, energy storage devices, and cloud-connected electronics is driving an unprecedented demand for lithium resources. Current lithium production technologies, in which extraction and purification are typically achieved by hydrometallurgical routes, possess strong environmental impact but are also energy-intensive and require extensive operational capabilities. The emergence of selective membrane materials and associated electro-processes offers an avenue to reduce these energy and cost penalties and create more sustainable lithium production approaches. In this review, lithium recovery technologies are discussed considering the origin of the lithium, which can be primary sources such as minerals and brines or e-waste sources generated from recycling of batteries and other e-products. The relevance of electro-membrane processes for selective lithium recovery is discussed as well as the potential and shortfalls of current electro-membrane methods.

This paper shows the investigation for the optimal anion exchange membranes (AEM) supporting the desorption step of the HCDI process. The chemical modification of PVDF by diethylene triamine created the AEM. To confirm the ion-exchange character of materials, the chemical analysis with FTIR, SEM, surface energetics, and transportation analysis were applied. Next, the investigated membranes were applied for the sorption and desorption of lithium chloride. The specific sorptive parameters were higher according to the incorporation of the nitrogen groups into polymeric chains. Considering the desorption efficiency, membranes modified by four days were selected for further evaluation. The application in the HCDI process allowed reaching the desorption efficiency at 90%. The system composed of PVDF-DETA4 membrane was suitable for sorption 30 mg/g of salt. By applying the PVDF-DETA4 membrane, it is possible to concentrate LiCl with four factors. The anion exchange character of the developed membrane was confirmed by adsorption kinetics and isotherms of chlorides, nitrates, sodium, and lithium. The prepared membrane could be considered a perspective material suitable for concentration salt with electro-driven technologies for the above reasons.

Membrane technologies have found a significant application in separation processes in an exceeding range of industrial fields. The crucial part that is decided regarding the efficiency and effectivity of separation is the type of membrane. The membranes deal with separation problems, working under the various mechanisms of transportation of selected species. This review compares significant types of entrapped matter (ions, compounds, and particles) within membrane technology. The ion-exchange membranes, molecularly imprinted membranes, smart membranes, and adsorptive membranes are investigated. Here, we focus on the selective separation through the above types of membranes and detect their preparation methods. Firstly, the explanation of transportation and preparation of each type of membrane evaluated is provided. Next, the working and application phenomena are evaluated. Finally, the review discusses the membrane modification methods and briefly provides differences in the properties that occurred depending on the type of materials used and the modification protocol.

The influence of the ratio of poly(vinyl chloride) in electrode composition into their surface energetics, hybrid capacitive deionization performance as well as adsorption kinetics and isotherms was evaluated. The electrodes were comprised of lithium manganese titanium oxide or activated carbon. Electrodes were tested by used hybrid capacitive deionization. To testing surface energetic the goniometer measurements were applied. It was possible to calculate free surface energy with its components. For investigated the adsorption kinetics the pseudo first order, pseudo second order, Weber–Morris intraparticle diffusion, Elovich models were chosen. While for the detection of adsorption isotherms Temkin and Harkins–Jura models were examined.