The present invention relates to a porous membrane, process for the manufacture thereof and uses thereof.

The present invention relates to a porous membrane, process for the manufacture thereof and uses thereof.

A nanofiber membrane includes a polymer nanofiber; and an amphiphilic triblock copolymer bonded to the surface of the polymer nanofiber, the amphiphilic triblock copolymer includes a hydrophobic portion; hydrophilic portions positioned at both ends of the hydrophobic portion; and a low surface energy portion positioned at one end of each of the hydrophilic portions positioned at both ends of the hydrophobic portion, and the hydrophobic portion of the amphiphilic triblock copolymer is bonded to the surface of the polymer nanofiber and the hydrophilic portion and the low surface energy portion are exposed to the outside of the surface of the polymer nanofiber. The membrane simultaneously exhibits hydrophilicity, underwater oleophobicity, and low oil adhesion force, thus has surface segregation properties, and as a result, has an excellent oil permeate flux, exhibits antifouling properties, and can excellently separate oil in water.

A nanofiber membrane includes a polymer nanofiber; and an amphiphilic triblock copolymer bonded to the surface of the polymer nanofiber, the amphiphilic triblock copolymer includes a hydrophobic portion; hydrophilic portions positioned at both ends of the hydrophobic portion; and a low surface energy portion positioned at one end of each of the hydrophilic portions positioned at both ends of the hydrophobic portion, and the hydrophobic portion of the amphiphilic triblock copolymer is bonded to the surface of the polymer nanofiber and the hydrophilic portion and the low surface energy portion are exposed to the outside of the surface of the polymer nanofiber. The membrane simultaneously exhibits hydrophilicity, underwater oleophobicity, and low oil adhesion force, thus has surface segregation properties, and as a result, has an excellent oil permeate flux, exhibits antifouling properties, and can excellently separate oil in water.

An air channel membrane distiller (1) comprises a hot surface (12), a cooling section (20) and a hydrophobic membrane (30). The hot surface and the hydrophobic membrane define a sealed evaporation channel (40). A surface (22) of the cooling section and the hydrophobic membrane define a sealed condensation channel (50). A water supply tubing (42) is connected to the evaporation channel. A water discharge tubing (46) is connected to the evaporation channel. A purified-water discharge tubing (56) is connected to the condensation channel. The surface of the cooling section is given a temperature lower than a temperature of water in the evaporation channel. A gas supply arrangement (60) for inert gas comprises a heater (62). A gas pipe system (64) is arranged to a gas inlet (55) of the condensation channel for enabling flushing of at least the condensation channel with the inert gas.

An air channel membrane distiller (1) comprises a hot surface (12), a cooling section (20) and a hydrophobic membrane (30). The hot surface and the hydrophobic membrane define a sealed evaporation channel (40). A surface (22) of the cooling section and the hydrophobic membrane define a sealed condensation channel (50). A water supply tubing (42) is connected to the evaporation channel. A water discharge tubing (46) is connected to the evaporation channel. A purified-water discharge tubing (56) is connected to the condensation channel. The surface of the cooling section is given a temperature lower than a temperature of water in the evaporation channel. A gas supply arrangement (60) for inert gas comprises a heater (62). A gas pipe system (64) is arranged to a gas inlet (55) of the condensation channel for enabling flushing of at least the condensation channel with the inert gas.

According to one embodiment, a separator is provided. The separator includes a composite membrane. The composite membrane includes a substrate layer, a first composite layer, and a second composite layer. The first composite layer is located on one surface of the substrate layer. The second composite layer is located on the other surface of the substrate layer. The composite membrane has a coefficient of air permeability of 1×10.sup.−14 m.sup.2 or less. The first composite layer has a first surface and a second surface. The first surface is in contact with the substrate layer. The second surface is located on an opposite side to the first surface. Denseness of a portion including the first surface is lower than denseness of a portion including the second surface in the first composite layer.

A method produces a metal-organic framework on a surface of another metal-organic framework. One embodiment comprises contacting the first metal-organic framework with a ligand and solvent solution; wherein the first metal-organic framework comprises a first ligand and a first metal; wherein the ligand and solvent solution comprises a second ligand that is different from the first ligand in the first metal-organic framework; and allowing the second ligand from the ligand and solvent solution to exchange with the first ligand present in the first metal-organic framework for a period of time suitable to produce the second metal-organic framework on the surface of the first metal-organic framework.

Described embodiments include a graphene membrane film for solvent purification and related method, and a solvent purification system using same. The graphene membrane film for solvent purification is formed having a plurality of stacked graphene plate-shaped flakes, and at least one pair of the plurality of stacked graphene plate-shaped flakes comprises a physical bond or a chemical bond connecting layers. The graphene membrane film for solvent purification is produced by preparing a graphene oxide dispersion liquid by dispersing graphene oxide in distilled water; confining the graphene oxide dispersion liquid between a pair of substrates; and applying heat and pressure to the graphene oxide dispersion liquid between the substrates to perform a hydrothermal reaction to concurrently thermally reduce the graphene oxide and bind graphenes. Due to lipophilic surface property and fine pores, size exclusion separation and hydrophilic-lipophilic component separation through polarity may be realized, and thus is usable in fine chemistry fields.

Described embodiments include a graphene membrane film for solvent purification and related method, and a solvent purification system using same. The graphene membrane film for solvent purification is formed having a plurality of stacked graphene plate-shaped flakes, and at least one pair of the plurality of stacked graphene plate-shaped flakes comprises a physical bond or a chemical bond connecting layers. The graphene membrane film for solvent purification is produced by preparing a graphene oxide dispersion liquid by dispersing graphene oxide in distilled water; confining the graphene oxide dispersion liquid between a pair of substrates; and applying heat and pressure to the graphene oxide dispersion liquid between the substrates to perform a hydrothermal reaction to concurrently thermally reduce the graphene oxide and bind graphenes. Due to lipophilic surface property and fine pores, size exclusion separation and hydrophilic-lipophilic component separation through polarity may be realized, and thus is usable in fine chemistry fields.