Dalian University of Technology

Gaoliang Wei

Shuo Chen

Xie Quan

Hongtao Yu

Qi Zhang

Chengyu Yuan

The present disclosure provides a rigid self-supporting MXene separation membrane and a preparation method and use thereof, belonging to the technical field of membranes. In the present disclosure, a MXene material is mixed with an aluminum salt powder to conduct one-step membrane formation by hot-pressing. The pressure forms the powder into a membrane and imparts rigidity, enabling a self-supporting structure; the heating breaks an ionic bond of an inorganic metal salt to reach a molten ionic state, and free metal cations react with active oxygen-containing functional groups on the surface of the MXene to form new chemical bonds (such as an Al—O bond); such a chemical bond has higher energy, achieving a desirable anti-swelling effect to improve the membrane stability. The separation membrane further has excellent conductivity and hydrophilicity.

Rigid self-supporting MXene separation membrane and preparation method and use thereof

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.

Method for directly growing ultrathin porous graphene separation membrane

The invention, belonging to the field of membrane technology, presents a method for the high-throughput preparation of carbon nanotube hollow fiber membranes. This method contains three major steps. Firstly, the pristine carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are added into a mixture of concentrated nitric acid and sulfuric acid, which is then heated at 40&#x2dc;80&#xb0; C. for 0.5&#x2dc;6 hours. Secondly, the surface-functionalized CNTs and polyvinyl butyral (PVB) are dispersed and dissolved, respectively, in organic solvents at a mass ratio of 1:0.2&#x2dc;1:4&#x2dc;8 to form homogeneous spinning solution, which is squeezed into water as shell liquid with water as core liquid at a flow rate ratios of 0.5&#x2dc;5:1 through a spinneret to form CNT/PVB hollow fibers. Finally, the dry fibers are calcinated at 600&#x2dc;1000 &#xb0; C. for 1&#x2dc;4 hours in absence of oxygen to produce free-standing CNT hollow fiber membranes. The method involved in this invention is simple and highly efficient without needing any templates, expensive apparatuses and chemicals. Additionally, the obtained electrically conductive CNT hollow fiber membranes feature a high porosity, high water flux and strong acid/alkali resistance.

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Liaoning, China

Gaoliang Wei