Speaker：Dr.FANG Wangxi,Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Sponsor：Prof.JIN Jian
Time：9:00a.m.Wednesday,July 12th
Room：A718,SINANO

Abstract:Reverse osmosis (RO) is among the dominating separation technologies to produce fresh water from saline water and other wastewater sources, while nanofiltration (NF) is experiencing rapid growth in water industry due to its unique ability to separate divalent and multivalent ions as well as low molecular weight organic species. However, it is challenging to develop RO/NF membranes that remain competent permeation flux at low operating pressure to reduce energy consumption and membrane fouling tendency.
This presentation will report the development of novel composite hollow fiber membranes with operating pressure, and tailored surface properties and structures for various niche applications in the water industry. Novel composite NF hollow fiber membrane for low-pressure water softening were prepared via interfacial polymerization, and the thin film formation process was ameliorated to strengthen the capability for softening of more concentrated and complex water sources. Moreover, novel double-skinned hollow fibers with RO/NF-like selective skins were fabricated through either surface modification or layer-by-layer assembly method, to mitigate the internal concentration polarization, scale formation and organic fouling for practical FO applications. Furthermore, ultra-permeable biomimetic RO membranes were produced by incorporating aquaporin water channel protein into the polyamide thin film selective layer, to achieve energy-efficient water reuse and desalination.