A forward osmosis membrane having a low water resistance and an excellent mechanical strength includes a support unit and a selective layer. The support unit includes a plurality of nanostructures, and has opposite first and second surfaces which are defined by the nanostructures. Each of the nanostructures includes a carbon nanotube and a hydrophilic film coated around the carbon nanotube. The hydrophilic film includes a first hydrophilic polymeric material and a second hydrophilic polymeric material. The second hydrophilic polymeric materials of the nanostructures are cross-linked. The selective layer covers and contacts the first surface of the support unit.

The invention, belonging to the field of membrane technology, presents a method for the direct growth of ultrathin porous graphene separation membranes. Etching agent, organic solvent and polymer are coated on metal foil, and then they are calcined at high temperature in absence of oxygen; after removal of metal substrate and reaction products, single-layered or multi-layered porous graphene membranes are obtained. Alternatively, the dispersion or solution of etching agent is coated on metal foil, on which a polymer film is then overlaid. The obtained sample is subsequently calcined at high temperature in absence of oxygen; after removal of metal substrate and reaction products, single-layered or multi-layered porous graphene membranes are obtained. The method involved in this invention is simple and highly efficient, and allows direct growth of ultrathin porous graphene separation membranes, without needing expensive apparatuses, chemicals and graphene raw material. Additionally, the graphene membranes prepared with this method have controlled pore size, ultrahigh water flux and strong resistance to irreversible fouling.

A composite membrane suitable for separating a gas from a gas mixture comprising a selective layer coated on a support, wherein said selective layer comprises: a) a polymeric matrix comprising an amine polymer; b) a graphene oxide nanofiller; and c) a mobile carrier selected from an ionic liquid or an amino acid salt.

Compositions and methods directed to the production of single layer, highly porous, free-standing polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membranes having macro-textured surfaces are provided. The macro-textured surfaces are due to the presence of macroscopic nodal aggregates within the membrane that are connected by fibrils The membranes have high porosity, high airflow, and a bulk density less than 1.0 g/cm3. Articles comprising the porous, single layer PTFE membranes are also provided.

The present application relates to an unsupported, permanently hydrophilic filtration membrane, and its method of formation. The membrane comprises a polymeric matrix material and a cross-linked polyoxazoline hydrophilic additive blended throughout said matrix material.

The present disclosure relates to a composite membrane formed by lamination of two or more separate porous polymeric layers, as well as to a method and system for lamination. Advantageously, the resulting composite is a single layer, being difficult to separate into its component layers, yet effectively maintains the filtering capabilities of the component layers when not laminated.

The present application relates to a multizone, unsupported, microporous, high throughput membrane. The membrane includes a first microporous zone, a second microporous zone, and a third microporous zone, where the third microporous zone is positioned between the first and second microporous zones, with the first, second, and third microporous zones being integral with one another. Further aspects of the present application include a process for making the membrane and a filtration cartridge with the membrane of the present application.

A provided stretched porous polytetrafluoroethylene membrane has a node-fibril structure including a plurality of nodes and a fibril connecting the plurality of nodes. A ratio of an average length of the plurality of nodes in a thickness direction of the stretched porous polytetrafluoroethylene membrane to a thickness of the stretched porous polytetrafluoroethylene membrane is 10% or more. The above stretched porous polytetrafluoroethylene membrane is less likely to suffer breakage. In the above stretched porous polytetrafluoroethylene membrane, assuming that there is a cuboid region having an upper surface and a lower surface respectively positioned at one membrane surface and the other membrane surface of the stretched porous polytetrafluoroethylene membrane, the number of the nodes included in the region may be 4 or less per micrometer thickness, the upper surface and the lower surface each having dimensions of 280 μm×280 μm.

A hybrid electro-pressure driven method for the recovery, purification, and concentration of lithium salts is described. A fractionating electrodialysis stack equipped with selective ion exchange membranes is s used to separate a lithium containing brine into a monovalent enriched fraction and a divalent enriched fraction. The monovalent enriched fraction is further processed to remove remaining impurities by use of pressure driven nanofiltration. An optional concentrating electrodialysis device may further concentrate the monovalent enriched fraction in lithium content. The method may be combined with a subsequent solvent extraction and electrolysis step to produce lithium hydroxide, a Li+ selective sorbent step for producing purified lithium chloride, or a Li+ selective sorbent and precipitative step to produce lithium carbonate.

Provided is an internal pressure adjustment member to be attached to an outer surface of a housing, the member having high air permeability even when a differential pressure that can be generated between the inside and the outside of a housing to which the internal pressure adjustment member is attached is small, and inhibiting damage to the member and a reduction in the air permeability of the member due to coming soil and mud. The internal pressure adjustment member includes: a filter portion including a net-like or mesh-like support layer and first and second porous polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membranes laminated on the support layer such that the support layer is interposed therebetween, the first porous PTFE membrane being exposed on one surface of the filter portion, the second porous PTFE membrane being exposed on another surface of the filter portion; and an adhesive portion, formed on the one surface of the filter portion, for attaching the filter portion to the outer surface of the housing. The first porous PTFE membrane and the second porous PTFE membrane each have an average pore diameter of 2.0 μm or more, the filter portion has a thickness of 140 μm or less, and the filter portion has a density of 0.60 g/cm.sup.3 or less.