A thin film composite membrane (TFC) includes an active layer on a support. The active layer includes at least 8 barrier layers of star-polymers each having at least three linear polymers attached at a central core. Each of the barrier layers has a thickness between 5 and 50 nm, and the barrier layers have alternating charge.

The present invention relates to a layered semipermeable membrane satisfying the conditions below. (A) The maximum peak intensity between 3700 and 2900 cm.sup.1 is 0.08 or greater in the difference spectrum between an IR spectrum measured at 25 C. and 97% relative humidity and an IR spectrum measured at 25 C. and 3% relative humidity. (B) The peak top wavenumber between 3700 and 2900 cm.sup.1 of the aforementioned difference spectrum is 3400 cm.sup.1 to 3550 cm.sup.1. (C) The N1s peak has a maximum value at 401 eV or greater in X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy in which X-rays are radiated to a coat layer.

A high salinity water purification system and process, including a forward osmosis system and a reverse osmosis or nanofiltration system. A concentrated brine of a zinc or iron complex combined with a salt or acid draws pure water across the FO membrane from the influent water. The diluted brine is pumped through a vessel holding an anionic adsorption media to remove the zinc or iron complex and the resultant brine is passed through the RO or nanofiltration system to obtain purified water and a concentrated brine stream. The adsorption media is regenerated by a rinse cycle using fresh water or water from the RO system, removing the zinc or iron complex adhered to the media. The resultant brine is stored and mixed with the output of the RO system. Charged membrane can be used as a standalone membrane in FO process or in combination with resin or resin embedded membrane.

The present specification relates to a block polymer and a polymer electrolyte membrane comprising the same, a membrane-electrode assembly comprising the polymer electrolyte membrane, a fuel cell comprising the membrane-electrode assembly, and a redox flow battery comprising the polymer electrolyte membrane.

A method for treating a surface of a microporous membrane includes: (1) contacting at least one surface of the membrane with a treatment composition including: (a) an acrylic polymer prepared from a mixture of vinyl monomers including: (i) a (meth)acrylic acid monomer and (ii) a silane-functional acrylic monomer; and (b) a base, where the acrylic polymer is in contact with the filler present in the matrix; and (2) subjecting the membrane of (1) to conditions sufficient to effect a condensation reaction between the filler and the acrylic polymer. A treated microporous membrane and an aqueous treatment composition are also disclosed.

A separation membrane sheet that causes a specific fluid component to selectively permeate therethrough, comprises: a first porous layer; and a resin composition layer formed on the first porous layer. The resin composition layer has a filtration residue fraction of greater than or equal to 20% and less than or equal to 90%; and contains a resin having an ionic group or a salt thereof, and has an ion exchange capacity of greater than or equal to 1 millimole equivalent per 1 g of a dry resin in a filtration residue.

A novel fibrous membrane comprises at least one substrate layer comprising at least 80% by weight of microfibers that carry positively charged and/or negatively charged functional groups, and at least one layer of filtration material attached to the substrate layer, wherein the layer of filtration material comprises at least 80% by weight of nanofibers that carry negatively charged and/or positively charged functional groups. The fibrous membrane is able to remove or reduce the concentration of bacteria, viruses and heavy metals while maintaining relatively high water flow. A filter comprising the fibrous membrane and a method for manufacturing the fibrous membrane are also provided.

This disclosure relates to a hydrophilic graphitic material. The graphitic material may be a carbon nanotube film having superior chemical, mechanical and electrical properties compared to traditional membrane materials. The hydrophilic graphitic material includes a kosmotropic polymer or kosmotropic molecule coating that increases the hydrophilicity of a graphitic material. Methods for preparing the hydrophilic graphitic material are disclosed along with potential applications and uses.

Metal organic framework membranes can be used in gas separation applications.

Cation exchange membranes and materials including silica-based ceramics, and associated methods, are provided. In some aspects, cation exchange membranes that include a silica-based ceramic that forms a coating on and/or within a porous support membrane are described. The cation exchange membranes and materials may have certain structural or chemical attributes (e.g., pore size/distribution, chemical functionalization) that, alone or in combination, can result in advantageous performance characteristics in any of a variety of applications for which selective transport of positively charged ions through membranes/materials is desired. In some embodiments, the silica-based ceramic contains relatively small pores (e.g., substantially spherical nanopores) that may contribute to some such advantageous properties. In some embodiments, the cation exchange membrane or material includes sulfonate and/or sulfonic acid groups covalently bound to the silica-based ceramic.