Polymer-matrix nanocomposite membranes for water treatment

Nonlinear rheology and nanostructural features of twin-chain polymer networks with controlled porosity

HYPOTHESIS

Twin-Chain Networks (TCNs) are polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based cryogels with enhanced porosity. They include two PVAs undergoing a polymer-polymer phase separation in pre-gel solution, granting the formation of sponge-like networks after gelation. Gel structural and transport properties, affecting networks' tortuosity, can be optimized for specific applications, such as the cleaning of Modern and Contemporary Art, by selecting polymer pairs with specific micro-segregation behavior in the pre-gel solution.

EXPERIMENTS

In this work, TCNs were obtained by using PVAs of increasing molecular weight as porogens. Pre-gel solutions and gels morphology were observed through Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM), while properties like elasticity, crystallinity and characteristic dimensions at the nanoscale were explored through rheology, Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS). The gels' yielding behavior in the non-linear viscoelastic region was related to the crosslinks size/local concentration and the tortuosity at the nanoscale (obtained through Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy, FCS, measurements).

FINDINGS

TCNs pores size increases with the porogen molecular weight. Despite a clear difference in the gels porosity at the micron-scale, only minor structural differences emerged through SAXS, DSC and linear rheology analysis. Gels deformation in the non-linear regime, analyzed through the Sequence of Physical Processes (SPP) approach, unraveled, for the first time, the hidden nanoscale features determining gels behavior at yielding, clarifying the role of the different porogens during cryostructuration. The nature of gels' physical junctions was found to be intertwined with the gels' tortuosity at the nanoscale, eventually affecting the cleaning ability of this new class of materials.

Critical review on emerging photocatalytic membranes for pollutant removal: From preparation to application

Due to synergistically enhanced separation and degradation performances, photocatalytic membranes offer an environmentally friendly and energy-sustainable method for water purification. However, a comprehensive review on preparation and application of photocatalytic membranes is still lacking. Systematically comparing different photocatalytic membrane fabrication methods and revealing the underlying mechanisms of their respective applications are of particular interest. In this review, we first discuss the common preparation methods for photocatalytic membranes in detail, focusing on the main approaches to improve their photocatalytic performance. We elucidate the mechanisms of photocatalytic membrane-based degradation processes, and describe some representative applications of photocatalytic membranes in water treatment. At the same time, the influencing factors that are critical for achieving high removal efficiency are also proposed. In the end, the practical applications and the perspectives for future studies and implementation of photocatalytic membranes are evaluated. This review will serve as a summary to advance researchers' understanding of the advantages of photocatalytic membranes, with the ultimate goal of achieving large-scale relevant applications of photocatalytic membranes in water treatment.

Microwave-Fluidic Continuous Manufacturing of Ultrasmall Silver Nanoparticles in a Polycaprolactone Matrix as Antibacterial Coatings

Fast, energy-efficient, and continuous manufacturing of nanoparticles (NPs) with controlled size and distribution in polymer matrices is challenging. Herein, a microwave-powered dual-injection continuous flow reactor is presented to prepare silver NP (AgNP)/polycaprolactone (PCL) nanocomposites (AgNP/PCL NCs). Ultrasmall spherical AgNPs (US-AgNPs, 1.86 ± 0.77 nm) can be manufactured in the PCL matrix in less than 3 min at ∼35 °C by applying 60 W microwave power and a combined flow rate of 1.25:1.25 mL/min (Pump1:Pump2). The effect of NP size and amount on the thermal, optical, and antimicrobial properties and the crystallinity of NCs are discussed. The NC crystallinity is independent of the NP's size and amount, while the NC film roughness is highly dependent on NP size. The antibacterial activity of the US-AgNPs-containing NC toward Escherichia coli (∼98.2%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (∼98.2%), and Staphylococcus aureus (∼99.1%) is higher than big AgNP-containing NCs (82.3%, 85.7%, and 92.3%, respectively), signifying a strong NP size dependency instead of Ag concentration.

Optimization of carbon membrane performance in reverse osmosis systems for reducing salinity, nitrates, phosphates, and ammonia in aquaculture wastewater

This study investigates the performance of various types of carbon membranes in reverse osmosis systems aimed at reducing salinity, nitrates, phosphates, and ammonia in aquaculture wastewater. As sustainable aquaculture practices become increasingly essential, effective treatment solutions are needed to mitigate pollution from nutrient-rich effluents. The research highlights several carbon membranes types, including carbon molecular sieves, activated carbon membranes, carbon nanotube membranes, and graphene oxide membranes, all of which demonstrate exceptional filtration capabilities due to their unique structural properties. Findings reveal that these carbon membranes can achieve removal efficiencies exceeding 90 % for critical pollutants, thereby significantly improving water quality and supporting environmental sustainability. The study also explores the development of hybrid membranes and nanocomposites, which enhance performance by combining the strengths of different materials, allowing for customized solutions tailored to the specific requirements of aquaculture wastewater treatment. Additionally, operational parameters such as pH, temperature, and feed water characteristics are crucial for maximizing membrane efficiency. The integration of real-time monitoring technologies is proposed to enable prompt adjustments to treatment processes, thereby improving system performance and reliability. Overall, this research emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration among researchers and industry stakeholders to drive innovation in advanced filtration technologies. The findings underscore the substantial potential of carbon membranes in tackling the pressing water quality challenges faced by the aquaculture sector, ultimately contributing to the sustainability of aquatic ecosystems and ensuring compliance with environmental standards for future generations.

Thin-Film Composite Polyamide Membranes Modified with HKUST-1 for Water Treatment: Characterization and Nanofiltration Performance

The development of sustainable nanofiltration membranes requires alternatives to petroleum-derived polymer substrates. This study demonstrates the successful use of an eco-friendly cellulose acetate/cellulose nitrate (CA/CN) blend substrate for fabricating high-performance modified thin-film composite (mTFC) membranes. A dense, non-porous polyamide (PA) selective layer was formed via the interfacial polymerization method and modified with 0.05-0.1 wt.% HKUST-1 (Cu3BTC2, MOF-199). Characterization by FTIR, XPS, SEM, AFM, and contact angle measurements confirmed the CA/CN substrate's suitability for TFC membrane fabrication. HKUST-1 incorporation created a distinctive ridge-and-valley morphology while significantly altering PA layer hydrophilicity and roughness. The mTFC membrane performance could be fine-tuned by the controlled incorporation of HKUST-1; incorporation through the aqueous phase slowed down the formation of the PA layer and significantly reduced its thickness, while the addition through the organic phase resulted in the formation of a denser layer due to HKUST-1 agglomeration. Thus, either enhanced permeability (123 LMH bar-1 with 0.05 wt.% aqueous-phase incorporation) or rejection (>89% dye removal with 0.05 wt.% organic-phase incorporation) were achieved. Both mTFC membranes also exhibited improved heavy metal ion rejection (>91.7%), confirming their industrial potential. Higher HKUST-1 loading (0.1 wt.%) caused MOF agglomeration, reducing performance. This approach establishes a sustainable fabrication route for tunable TFC membranes targeting specific separation tasks.

Study of Polysulfone-Impregnated Hydroxyapatite for Ultrafiltration in Whey Protein Separation

Polysulfone (Psf) ultrafiltration flat-sheet membranes were modified with hydroxyapatite (HA) powder during preparation using the wet-phase inversion method. HA was incorporated to enhance the protein separation capabilities. The asymmetric Psf membranes were synthesized using NMP as the solvent. Through Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis, it was revealed that HA was distributed across the membrane. Incorporating HA led to higher flux, the improved rejection of protein, and enhanced surface hydrophilicity. The permeability flux increased with HA concentration, peaking at 0.3 wt.%, resulting in a 38% improvement to 65 LMH/bar. Whey protein separation was evaluated using the model proteins BSA and lysozyme, representing α-Lactalbumin. The results of protein rejection for the blend membranes indicated that the rejection rates for BSA and lysozyme increased to 97.2% and 73%, respectively. Both the native and blend membranes showed similar BSA rejection rates; however, the blend membranes demonstrated better performance in lysozyme separation, indicating superior selectivity compared to native membranes. The modified membranes exhibited improved hydrophilicity, with water contact angles decreasing from 66° to 53°, alongside improved antifouling properties, indicated by a lower flux decline ratio value. This simple and economical modification method enhances permeability without sacrificing separation efficiency, hence facilitating the scalability of membrane production in the whey protein separation industry.

BioMOF@PAN Mixed Matrix Membranes as Fast and Efficient Adsorbing Materials for Multiple Heavy Metals' Removal

Heavy metal ions are a common source of water pollution. In this study, two novel membranes with biobased metal-organic frameworks (BioMOFs) embedded in a polyacrylonitrile matrix with tailored porosity were prepared via nonsolvent induced phase separation methods and designed to efficiently adsorb heavy metal ions from oligomineral water. Under optimized preparation conditions, stable membranes with high MOF loading up to 50 wt % and a cocontinuous sponge-like morphology and a high water permeability of 50-60 L m-2 h-1 bar-1 were obtained. The tortuous flow path in combination with a low water flow rate guarantees maximum contact time between the fluid and the MOFs, and thus a high heavy metal capture efficiency in a single pass. The performances of these BioMOF@PAN membranes were investigated in the dynamic regime for the simultaneous removal of Pb2+, Cd2+, and Hg2+ heavy metals from aqueous environments in the presence of common interfering ions. The new composite adsorbing membranes are capable of reducing the concentration of heavy metal pollutants in a single pass and at much higher efficiency than previously reported membranes. The enhanced performance of the mixed matrix membranes is attributed to the presence of multiple recognition sites which densely decorate the BioMOF channels: (i) the thioether groups, deriving from the S-methyl-l-cysteine and (S)-methionine amino acid residues, able to recognize and capture Pb2+ and Hg2+ ions and (ii) the oxygen atoms of the oxamate moieties, which preferentially interact with Cd2+ ions, as revealed by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The flexibility of the pore environments allows these sites to work synergically for the simultaneous capture of different metal ions. The stability of the membranes for a potential regeneration process, a key-factor for the effective feasibility of the process in real life applications, was also evaluated and confirmed less than 1% capacity loss in each cycle.

Heterostructure g-C3N4/Bi2MoO6 PVDF nanofiber composite membrane for the photodegradation of steroid hormone micropollutants

Photocatalytic membrane reactors (PMRs) are a promising technology for micropollutant removal. Sunlight utilization and catalyst surface sites limit photodegradation. A poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) nanofiber composite membrane (NCM) with immobilized visible-light-responsive g-C3N4/Bi2MoO6 (BMCN) were developed. Photodegradation of steroid hormones with the PVDF-BMCN NCM was investigated with varying catalyst properties, operating conditions, and relevant solution chemistry under solar irradiation. Increasing CN ratio (0-65 %) enhanced estradiol (E2) degradation from 20 ± 10 to 75 ± 7 % due to improved sunlight utilization and photon lifetime. PVDF nanofibers reduced self-aggregation of catalysts. Hydraulic residence time and light intensity enhanced the photodegradation. With the increasing pH value, the E2 removal decreased from 84 ± 4 to 67 ± 7 % owing to electrical repulsion and thus reduced adsorption between catalysts and E2. A removal of 96 % can be attained at environmentally relevant feed concentration (100 ng.L-1) with a flux of 60 L.m-2.h-1, irradiance of 100 mW.cm-2, and 1 mg.cm-2 BMCN65 loading. This confirmed that heterojunction photocatalysts can enhance micropollutants degradation in PMRs.

Rare earth europium recovery using selective metal-organic framework incorporated mixed-matrix membrane

Rare-earth elements (REEs) play a crucial role in state-of-the-art technologies and sustainable energy generation. However, conventional production methods of REE often instigate detrimental impacts on environment. Hence, the development of efficient and sustainable hydrometallurgical methods for REE recovery from complex solution has become a crucial research focus. This study investigates a mixed-matrix membrane composed of a highly europium selective metal-organic framework-based adsorbent, Cr-MIL-PMIDA, embedded in sulfonated poly(ether ketone) (SPEK) polymer membrane matrix to preferentially concentrate europium (Eu3+) ions in the presence of other competing cations. The activated membrane notably reduced ionic conductivity for Eu3+ compared to other multivalent ions. Membrane extraction experiments further confirmed the selective behavior, demonstrating slower diffusion for Eu3+ compared to Mg2+ and Zn2+ cations. Especially, at pH 5, Mg2⁺ and Zn2⁺ recovery was greater than 30%, whereas Eu³⁺ recovery remained lower than 4%. We propose that the strong chemical affinity between the phosphate group and Eu3+ help partition of the Eu3+ ions in the membrane phase and inhibit the diffusion and further partitioning of the Eu3+ ion from bulk solution. Furthermore, we demonstrate the stability of the composite membrane and the embedded MOF particles in aqueous solution for up to 12 days without degradation, attributing it to the robust chemical stability of the MOF structure.

Flow Dynamics through a High Swelling Nanofiber Membrane Processed at Different Relative Humidities: A Study on a FexOy/Polyvinyl Alcohol Composite

Addressing the global problem of polluted water requires sustainable, efficient, and scalable remediation solutions, such as electrospun polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) membranes incorporating specific nanoadsorbents. The retention of contaminants depends on membrane swelling, morphology, and the adsorbent within the nanofiber. This study investigated the effect of relative humidity (RH) within the electrospinning chamber on the morphology of the resulting mats and how this affected the flow dynamics depending on whether or not the permeating liquid induced swelling in the membranes. An insolubilized PVA membrane was used as a hydrophilic filter model and a PVA membrane filled with iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) as a composite model (PVA + IONPs). The presence of IONPs increases the nanofiber diameter, which decreases when prepared under intermediate RH (IRH). Consequently, the nanofiber configuration, which is critical for filtration tortuosity, is influenced by RH. The initial swelling results in over 60% greater water flux through PVA + IONPs compared to PVA at an equivalent RH. This characterization helps to optimize membrane applications, highlighting that PVA + IONPs exhibit lower permeability values at IRH, indicating improved contaminant retention capabilities.

Mechanical Enhancement and Water Treatment Efficiency of Nanocomposite PES Membranes: A Study on Akçay Dam Water Filtration Application

Polymeric membranes are widely used in water treatment because of their ease of fabrication and low cost. The flux and purification performance of membranes can be significantly improved by incorporating appropriate amounts of nanomaterials into the polymeric membrane matrices. In this study, neat poly(ether sulfone) (PES), PES/nano copper oxide (CuO), and PES/nano zinc oxide (ZnO) membranes are fabricated via phase inversion. The pure water flux of the neat PES membrane, which is 355.14 L/m2·h, is increased significantly with the addition of nano-CuO and nano-ZnO, and the pure water fluxes of the nanocomposite membranes vary in the range of 392.65-429.74 L/m2·h. Moreover, nano CuO and nano ZnO-doped PES nanocomposite membranes exhibit higher conductivity, color, total organic carbon, boron, iron, selenium, barium, and total chromium removal efficiencies than neat PES membranes. The membrane surfaces examined by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) after water filtration revealed that those containing 0.5% wt. nano CuO and nano ZnO are more resistant to fouling than the membrane surfaces containing 1% wt. nano CuO and nano ZnO. Based on the results of this study, 0.5% wt. nano ZnO-doped PES membrane is found to be the most suitable membrane for use in water treatment due to its high pure water flux (427.14 L/m2·h), high pollutant removal efficiency, and high fouling resistance. When the mechanical properties of the membranes are examined, the addition of CuO and ZnO nanoparticles increases the membrane stiffness and modulus of elasticity. The addition of 0.5% and 1% for CuO leads to an increase in the modulus of elasticity by 57.95% and 324.43%, respectively, while the addition of 0.5% and 1% for ZnO leads to an increase in the modulus of elasticity by 480.68% and 1802.43%, respectively. At the same time, the tensile strength of the membranes also increases with the addition of nanomaterials.

Integrated In Situ Fabrication of CuO Nanorod-Decorated Polymer Membranes for the Catalytic Flow-Through Reduction of p-Nitrophenol

We developed a novel method to fabricate copper nanorods in situ in a poly(ether sulfone) (15 wt %) casting solution by a sonochemical reduction of Cu2+ ions with NaBH4. The main twist is the addition of ethanol to remove excess NaBH4 through Cu(0) catalyzed ethanolysis. This enabled the direct use of the resulting copper-containing casting dispersions for membrane preparation by liquid nonsolvent-induced phase separation and led to full utilization of the copper source, generating zero metal waste. We characterized the copper nanorods as presented in the membranes via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and UV/vis spectroscopy. We could demonstrate that the rapid immobilization from reducing conditions led to the membrane incorporation of copper nanorods in a state of high reactivity, which also promoted the complete oxidation to CuO after fabrication. We further observed a large aspect ratio and crystal straining of the nanorods, likely resulting from growth around the matrix polymer. The entanglement with poly(ether sulfone) further facilitated a selective presentation at the pore surface of the final CuO-decorated membranes. The membranes also exhibit high water permeances of up to 2800 L/m2hbar. Our catalytic membranes achieved exceptionally high activities in the aqueous flow-through reduction of p-nitrophenol (p-NP), with turnover frequencies of up to 115 h-1, even surpassing those of other state-of-the-art catalytic membranes that incorporate Pd or Ag. Additionally, we demonstrated that catalytic hydrolysis of the reducing agent in water can lead to hydrogen gas formation and blocking of active sites during continuous catalytic p-NP hydrogenation. We illustrated that the accompanying conversion loss can be mitigated by facilitated gas transport in the water-filled pores, which is dependent on the orientation of the pore size gradient and the flow direction.

CoFe2O4 modified bentonite-based mixed matrix loose nanofiltration membranes for effective wastewater treatment

Mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs) with an ideal polymer/hydrophilic flux enhancer interface considerably recuperates the separation and purification performance of membrane. In this direction, a novel CoFe2O4 functionalized natural clay-bentonite (CoFe2O4@BT) material as a compatible flux enhancer was synthesized for preparation of mixed matrix based in polyethersulfone (PES) matrix. Here, the influences of CoFe2O4@BT on the morphology and performance of the MMMs membranes were systematically investigated using various analytical techniques. Meanwhile, the water flux and sepration eficiency of the CoFe2O4@BT-PES membranes significantly enhanced due to the incorporation of CoFe2O4@BT that altered hydrophilicity, pore and surface characteristic features. The water flux as well as separation efficiency range up to 95%, 94.69%, 94.16% of Congo red (CR), Crystal violet (CV), and humic acid (HA) respectively. Meanwhile, the fouling parameters demonstrated that the CoFe2O4@BT-PES membranes exhibited better antifouling property in the long term experiment comparing with commercial polyamide membrane. CoFe2O4@BT material incorporated membranes showed less decline ratio and a better recovery ratio. The high rejection of dyes with a high permeation flux of the newly designed membranes indicated an amazing possibility for dye purification. In this study, a potential dye mechanism for composite membranes impacted by synthetic CoFe2O4@BT was also put forth. Within the context of application considerations for environmental protection, new materials stock in membranes show good potential for the separation of different organic contaminants.

Enhancing the water permeability of composite NF membranes through the incorporation of organic ions in the aqueous phase

Composite nanofiltration (NF) membranes prepared using interfacial polymerization (IP) have gained significant attention in the field of wastewater treatment. In this study, sodium camphor sulfonate (CSA-Na) and tetraethylammonium chloride (TEAC) were employed as aqueous phase additives to regulate the diffusion of piperazine (PIP) molecules through electrostatic interactions. The dissociated CSA-Na and TEAC in the aqueous solution formed an organic structure at a certain concentration, restricting the interfacial transport behavior of PIP monomers. The results show that when the content of CSA-Na is 2% w/v, TEAC is 3.9% w/v, that is, the material dosage ratio is 1 : 3, and the NF membrane shows the best performance, with a water flux of 55.61 L m-2 h-1 (test pressure is 0.5 MPa), and MgSO4 rejection rate of more than 98%.

State-of-the-Art Advances and Current Applications of Gel-Based Membranes

Gel-based membranes, a fusion of polymer networks and liquid components, have emerged as versatile tools in a variety of technological domains thanks to their unique structural and functional attributes. Historically rooted in basic filtration tasks, recent advancements in synthetic strategies have increased the mechanical strength, selectivity, and longevity of these membranes. This review summarizes their evolution, emphasizing breakthroughs that have positioned them at the forefront of cutting-edge applications. They have the potential for desalination and pollutant removal in water treatment processes, delivering efficiency that often surpasses conventional counterparts. The biomedical field has embraced them for drug delivery and tissue engineering, capitalizing on their biocompatibility and tunable properties. Additionally, their pivotal role in energy storage as gel electrolytes in batteries and fuel cells underscores their adaptability. However, despite monumental progress in gel-based membrane research, challenges persist, particularly in scalability and long-term stability. This synthesis provides an overview of the state-of-the-art applications of gel-based membranes and discusses potential strategies to overcome current limitations, laying the foundation for future innovations in this dynamic field.

Membrane-catalysis integrated system for contaminants degradation and membrane fouling mitigation: A review

The integration of catalytic degradation and membrane separation processes not only enables continuous degradation of contaminants but also effectively alleviates inevitable membrane fouling, demonstrating fascinating practical value for efficient water purification. Such membrane-catalysis integrated system (MCIS) has attracted tremendous research interest from scientists in chemical engineering and environmental science recently. In this review, the advantages of MCIS are discussed, including the membrane structure regulation, stable catalyst loading, nano-confinement effect, and efficient natural organic matter (NOM) exclusion, highlighting the synergistic effect between membrane separation and catalytic process. Subsequently, the design considerations for the fabrication of catalytic membranes, including substrate membrane, catalytic material, and fabrication method, are comprehensively summarized. Afterward, the mechanisms and performance of MCIS based on different catalytic types, including liquid-phase oxidants/reductants involved MCIS, gas involved MCIS, photocatalysis involved MCIS, and electrocatalysis involved MCIS are reviewed in detail. Finally, the research direction and future perspectives of catalytic membranes for water purification are proposed. The current review provides an in-depth understanding of the design of catalytic membranes and facilitates their further development for practical applications in efficient water purification.

Poly(arylene ether)s-Based Polymeric Membranes Applied for Water Purification in Harsh Environment Conditions: A Mini-Review

Confronting the pressing challenge of freshwater scarcity, polymeric membrane-based water treatment technology has emerged as an essential and effective approach. Poly(arylene ether)s (PAEs) polymers, a class of high-performance engineering thermoplastics, have garnered attention in recent decades as promising membrane materials for advanced water treatment approaches. The PAE-Based membranes are employed to resist the shortages of most common polymeric membranes, such as chemical instability, structural damage, membrane fouling, and shortened lifespan when deployed in harsh environments, owing to their excellent comprehensive performance. This article presents the advancements in the research of several typical PAEs, including poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK), polyethersulfone (PES), and poly(arylene ether nitrile) (PEN). Techniques for membrane formation, modification strategies, and applications in water treatment have been reviewed. The applications encompass processes for oil/water separation, desalination, and wastewater treatment, which involve the removal of heavy metal ions, dyes, oils, and other organic pollutants. The commendable performance of these membranes has been summarized in terms of corrosion resistance, high-temperature resistance, anti-fouling properties, and durability in challenging environments. In addition, several recommendations for further research aimed at developing efficient and robust PAE-based membranes are proposed.

Carbon nanomaterials for designing next-generation membranes and their emerging applications

Carbon nanomaterials have enormous applications in various fields, such as adsorption, membrane separation, catalysis, electronics, capacitors, batteries, and medical sciences. Owing to their exceptional properties, such as large specific surface area, carrier mobility, flexibility, electrical conductivity, and optical pellucidity, the family of carbon nanomaterials is considered as one of the most studied group of materials to date. They are abundantly used in membrane science for multiple applications, such as the separation of organics, enantiomeric separation, gas separation, biomolecule separation, heavy metal separation, and wastewater treatment. This study provides an overview of the significant studies on carbon nanomaterial-based membranes and their emerging applications in our membrane research journey. The types of carbon nanomaterials, their utilization in membrane-based separations, and the mechanism involved are summarized in this study. Techniques for the fabrication of different nanocomposite membranes are also highlighted. Lastly, we have provided an overview of the existing issues and future scopes of carbon nanomaterial-based membranes for technological perspectives.

Fabrication and Performance Evaluation of a Cation Exchange Membrane Using Graphene Oxide/Polyethersulfone Composite Nanofibers

Ion exchange membranes, especially cation exchange membranes (CEMs), are an important component in membrane-based energy generation and storage because of their ability to transport cations via the electrochemical potential gradient while preventing electron transport. However, developing a CEM with low areal resistance, high permselectivity, and stability remains difficult. In this study, electrospun graphene oxide/polyethersulfone (GO/PES) composite nanofibers were prepared with varying concentrations of GO. To fabricate a CEM, the pores of the electrospun GO/PES nanofiber substrates were filled with a Nafion ionomer. The pore-filled PES nanofiber loaded with 1% GO revealed a noticeable improvement in hydrophilicity, structural morphology, and mechanical properties. The 1% GO/PES pore-filled CEM was compared to a Nafion membrane of a varying thickness and without a nanofiber substrate. The CEM with a nanofiber substrate showed permselectivity of 85.75%, toughness of 111 J/m³, and areal resistance of 3.7 Ω cm², which were 12.8%, 4.3 times, and 4.0 times better, respectively, than those of the Nafion membrane at the same thickness. The development of a reinforced concrete-like GO/PES nanofiber structure containing stretchable ionomer-enhanced membrane surfaces exhibited suitable areal resistance and reduced the thickness of the composite membrane without compromising the mechanical strength, suggesting its potential application as a cation exchange membrane in electrochemical membrane-based systems.

Advancements of Nanotechnology and Nanomaterials in Environmental and Human Protection for Combatting the COVID-19 During and Post-pandemic Era: A Comprehensive Scientific Review

In December 2019, an outbreak of unknown pneumonia emerged in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. It was later identified as the SARS-CoV-2 virus and has since infected over 9 million people in more than 213 countries worldwide. Massive papers on the topic of SARS-CoV-2 that have already been published are necessary to be analyzed and discussed. This paper used the combination of systematic literature network analysis and content analysis to develop a comprehensive discussion related to the use of nanotechnology and materials in environmental and human protection. Its is shown that various efforts have been made to control the transmission of this pandemic. Nanotechnology plays a crucial role in modern vaccine design, as nanomaterials are essential tools for antigen delivery, adjuvants, and mimics of viral structures. In addition, nanomaterials and nanotechnology also reported a crucial role in environmental protection for defence and treating the pandemic. To eradicate pandemics now and in the future, successful treatments must enable rapid discovery, scalable manufacturing, and global distribution. In this review, we discuss the current approaches to COVID-19 development and highlight the critical role of nanotechnology and nanomaterials in combating the virus in the human body and the environment.

Water treatment membranes embedded with a stable and bactericidal nanodiamond material

Filtration has emerged as a critical technology to reduce waterborne diseases caused by poor water quality. Filtration technology presents key challenges, such as membrane selectivity, permeability and biofouling. Nanomaterials can offer solutions to these challenges by varying the membranes' mechanical and bactericidal properties. This research uses nanodiamond particles with facile surface functionality and biocompatibility properties that are added to membranes used for filtration treatments. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were performed to study the membrane surface. FTIR spectra confirms an increase in oxygen functional groups onto the ultradispersed diamond's (UDD) surface following acid treatment. SEM images show particle deagglomeration of functionalized UDD at the membrane surface. Tensile strength tests were done to measure the UDD mechanical properties and Coliscan membrane filtration characterization was performed to determine the filter effectiveness. Polyether sulfone (PES) and polyvinylidene (PVDF) membranes expressed a change in their yield point when UDD was incorporated into the porous matrix. A significant microorganism reduction was obtained and confirmed using t-test analysis at a 95% level of confidence. UDD-embedded membranes exhibit a significant bactericidal reduction compared to commercial membranes suggesting these membranes have the potential to enhance current membrane filtration systems.

Poly(vinylidene fluoride) membrane with immobilized TiO2 for degradation of steroid hormone micropollutants in a photocatalytic membrane reactor

The lack of effective technologies to remove steroid hormones (SHs) from aquatic systems is a critical issue for both environment and public health. The performance of a flow-through photocatalytic membrane reactor (PMR) with TiO₂ immobilized on a photostable poly(vinylidene fluoride) membrane (PVDF-TiO₂) was evaluated in the context of SHs degradation at concentrations from 0.05 to 1000 µg/L under UV exposure (365 nm). A comprehensive investigation into the membrane preparation approach, including varying the surface Ti content and distribution, and membrane pore size, was conducted to gain insights on the rate-limiting steps for the SHs degradation. Increasing surface Ti content from 4 % to 6.5 % enhanced the 17β-estradiol (E2) degradation from 46 ± 12-81 ± 6 %. Apparent degradation kinetics were independent of both TiO₂ homogeneity and membrane pore size (0.1-0.45 µm). With optimized conditions, E2 removal was higher than 96 % at environmentally relevant feed concentration (100 ng/L), a flux of 60 L/m²h, 25 mW/cm², and 6.5 % Ti. These results indicated that the E2 degradation on the PVDF-TiO₂ membrane was limited by the catalyst content and light penetration depth. Further exploration of novel TiO₂ immobilization approach that can offer a larger catalyst content and light penetration is required to improve the micropollutant removal efficiency in PMR.

A review on pollutants remediation competence of nanocomposites on contaminated water

Clean freshwater has been required for drinking, sanitation, agricultural activities, and industry, as well as for the development and maintenance of the eco - systems on which all livelihoods rely. Water contamination is currently a significant concern for researchers all over the world; hence it is essential that somehow this issue is resolved as soon as possible. It is now recognised as one of the most important research areas in the world. Current wastewater treatment techniques degrade a wide range of wastewaters efficiently; however, such methods have some limitations. Recently, nanotechnology has emerged as a wonderful solution, and researchers are conducting research in this water remediation field with a variety of potential applications. The pollutants remediation capability of nanocomposites as adsorbents, photocatalysts, magnetic separation, and so on for contaminant removal from contaminated water has been examined in this study. This study has spotlighted the most significant nanocomposites invention reported to date for contaminated and effluent remediation, as well as a research gap as well as possible future perspectives.

Metal-organic frameworks and plastic: an emerging synergic partnership

Mismanagement of plastic waste results in its ubiquitous presence in the environment. Despite being durable and persistent materials, plastics are reduced by weathering phenomena into debris with a particle size down to nanometers. The fate and ecotoxicological effects of these solid micropollutants are not fully understood yet, but they are raising increasing concerns for the environment and people's health. Even if different current technologies have the potential to remove plastic particles, the efficiency of these processes is modest, especially for nanoparticles. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are crystalline nano-porous materials with unique properties, have unique properties, such as strong coordination bonds, large and robustus porous structures, high accessible surface areas and adsorption capacity, which make them suitable adsorbent materials for micropollutants. This review examines the preliminary results reported in literature indicating that MOFs are promising adsorbents for the removal of plastic particles from water, especially when MOFs are integrated in porous composite materials or membranes, where they are able to assure high removal efficiency, superior water flux and antifouling properties, even in the presence of other dissolved co-pollutants. Moreover, a recent trend for the alternative preparation of MOFs starting from plastic waste, especially polyethylene terephthalate, as a sustainable source of organic linkers is also reviewed, as it represents a promising route for mitigating the impact of the costs deriving from the widescale MOFs production and application. This connubial between MOFs and plastic has the potential to contribute at implementing a more effective waste management and the circular economy principles in the polymer life cycle.

Correlating the Role of Nanofillers with Active Layer Properties and Performance of Thin-Film Nanocomposite Membranes

Thin-film nanocomposite (TFN) membranes are emerging water-purification membranes that could provide enhanced water permeance with similar solute removal over traditional thin-film composite (TFC) membranes. However, the effects of nanofiller incorporation on active layer physico-chemical properties have not been comprehensively studied. Accordingly, we aimed to understand the correlation between nanofillers, active layer physico-chemical properties, and membrane performance by investigating whether observed performance differences between TFN and control TFC membranes correlated with observed differences in physico-chemical properties. The effects of nanofiller loading, surface area, and size on membrane performance, along with active layer physico-chemical properties, were characterized in TFN membranes incorporated with Linde Type A (LTA) zeolite and zeolitic imidazole framework-8 (ZIF-8). Results show that nanofiller incorporation up to ~0.15 wt% resulted in higher water permeance and unchanged salt rejection, above which salt rejection decreased 0.9-25.6% and 26.1-48.3% for LTA-TFN and ZIF-8-TFN membranes, respectively. Observed changes in active layer physico-chemical properties were generally unsubstantial and did not explain observed changes in TFN membrane performance. Therefore, increased water permeance in TFN membranes could be due to preferential water transport through porous structures of nanofillers or along polymer-nanofiller interfaces. These findings offer new insights into the development of high-performance TFN membranes for water/ion separations.

Cross-Linked and Doped Graphene Oxide Membranes with Excellent Antifouling Capacity for Rejection of Antibiotics and Salts

Graphene oxide (GO) membranes have suffered from the instability of water permeability and low rejection of pollutant separation. In this paper, a reasonable modification protocol for GO nanosheets at the molecular level was proposed. A molecular cross-linking strategy was adopted to regulate the interlayer spacing of GO nanosheets, and nanofiltration membranes with high water stability and excellent antifouling capacity were prepared, which could effectively reject antibiotics and salts. The GO₁-MPD_0.5 (the mass ratio of GO nanosheets to MPD is 1:0.5) and GO/GO₁-MPD_0.5-0.25 (the doping ratio of GO₁-MPD_0.5 is 25%) membranes had stable water permeability of 4.22 ± 0.06 and 3.65 ± 0.11 L m^-2 h^-1 bar^-1, and the rejection rates for ciprofloxacin (CIP) and ofloxacin (OFX) were 93.35 ± 3.62 and 95.48 ± 2.97 and 85.89 ± 6.52 and 88.21 ± 3.67%, respectively. Molecular dynamics simulations well explained the high water stability of membranes, and the cross-linked hydrophobic benzene ring played a role in the rejection of pollutant molecules. Moreover, the GO₁-MPD_0.5 membrane showed excellent antifouling capacity and the flux recovery ratio (FRR) was more than 98%. This paper provides a new idea for the design of nanofiltration membranes with high stability and good rejection permeability at the molecular level and provides a prospect for the application of nanofiltration membranes in practical water treatment and water purification.

Nanocomposite of CO2-Based Polycarbonate Polyol with Highly Exfoliated Nanoclay

Polypropylene carbonate (PPC) derived from carbon dioxide has been used as a precursor for the synthesis of polyurethane (PU). The high viscosity of the PPC is the key parameter hindering its processability during PU synthesis. Herein, a PPC nanocomposite with highly exfoliated nanoclay was prepared through a solution intercalation process. A wide range of nanoclay concentrations incorporated into the PPC were studied. The impacts of the nanoclay on the PPC were investigated in order to maintain the polymer structure while improving its physical properties. The characterizations of PPC nanocomposites showed that the highly exfoliated nanoclay contributed to a viscosity reduction, and a slight reduction in the molecular weight. The polymer degradation was indicated by the formation of cyclic propylene carbonate. The minimum or critical concentration of nanoclay was found to be between ∼0.5 and 2.0 wt %. Within this range, the polymer degradation is minimal. The PPC nanocomposites with a lower viscosity showed excellent precursors for making PU coating materials. The PU coating derived from the PPC nanocomposite has higher anticorrosive properties in comparison with the non-modified PU coating.

A review on optimistic development of polymeric nanocomposite membrane on environmental remediation

Current health and environmental concerns about the abundance and drawbacks of municipal wastewater as well as industrial effluent have prompted the development of novel and innovative treatment processes. A global shortage of clean water poses significant challenges to the survival of all life forms. For the removal of both biodegradable and non-biodegradable harmful wastes/pollutants from water, sophisticated wastewater treatment technologies are required. Polymer membrane technology is critical to overcoming this major challenge. Polymer matrix-based nanocomposite membranes are among the most popular in polymer membrane technology in terms of convenience. These membranes and their major components are environmentally friendly, energy efficient, cost effective, operationally versatile, and feasible. This review provides an overview of the drawbacks as well as promising developments in polymer membrane and nanocomposite membranes for environmental remediation, with a focus on wastewater treatment. Additionally, the advantages of nanocomposite membranes such as stability, antimicrobial properties, and adsorption processes have been discussed. The goal of this review was to summarize the remediation of harmful pollutants from water and wastewater/effluent using polymer matrix-based nanocomposite membrane technology, and to highlight its shortcomings and future prospects.

Carboxylated Graphene Oxide (c-GO) Embedded ThermoPlastic Polyurethane (TPU) Mixed Matrix Membrane with Improved Physicochemical Characteristics

Water is an important component of our life. However, the unavailability of fresh water and its contamination are emerging problems. The textile industries are the major suppliers of contamination of water, producing high concentrations of heavy metals and hazardous dyes posing serious health hazards. Several technologies for water purification are available in the market. Among them, the membrane technology is a highly advantageous and facile strategy to remediate wastewater. Herein, the distinguished combination of pore-forming agents, solvent, and nanoparticles has been used to achieve improved functioning of the polymeric composite membranes. To do so, graphene oxide (GO) was fabricated via Hummer's technique and GO functionalization using chloroacetic acid (c-GO) was performed. Thermoplastic polyurathane (TPU) membranes having different concentrations c-GO were made using the phase inversion technique. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to examine surface morphology, chemical functionalities on membranes surfaces, and crystallinity of membranes, respectively. The temperature-dependent behavior of c-GO composite membranes has been analyzed using DSC technique. The water contact angle measurements were performed for the estimation of hydrophilicity of the c-GO based TPU membrane. The improved water permeability of the composite membrane was observed with increasing the c-GO concentration in polymeric membranes. c-GO was observed as a potential candidate that enhanced membrane physicochemical properties. The proposed membranes can behave as efficient candidates in multiple domains of environmental remediation. Furthermore, the improved dye rejection characteristics of proposed composite membranes suggest that the membranes can be best suited for wastewater treatment as well.

Fabrication and Investigation of Acid Functionalized CNT Blended Nanocomposite Hollow Fiber Membrane for High Filtration and Antifouling Performance in Ultrafiltration Process

In this study, we fabricated a nanocomposite polyethersulfone (PES) HF membrane by blending acid functionalized carbon nanotubes (FCNT) to address the issue of reduced membrane life, increased energy consumption, and operating costs due to low permeability and membrane fouling in the ultrafiltration process. Additionally, we investigated the effect of FCNT blending on the membrane in terms of the physicochemical properties of the membrane and the filtration and antifouling performance. The FCNT/PES nanocomposite HF membrane exhibited increased water permeance from 110.1 to 194.3 LMH/bar without sacrificing rejection performance and increased the flux recovery ratio from 89.0 to 95.4%, compared to a pristine PES HF membrane. This study successfully developed a high filtration and antifouling polymer-based HF membrane by blending FCNT. Furthermore, it was validated that blending FCNT into the membrane enhances the filtration and antifouling performance in the ultrafiltration process.

Antifouling CuO@TiO2 coating on plasma-grafted PAA/PES membrane based on photocatalysis and hydrogen peroxide activation

Because of the small size effect leading to the high bandgap of TiO₂ P25, the photocatalytic membrane using this photocatalyst has low antifouling efficiency. This study prepared CuO@TiO₂ composite photocatalyst with a lower bandgap than TiO₂ P25 and used it as antifouling coatings on the PES membrane with PAA intermediate adhesive layer. PAA was grafted onto the surface of the PES membranes through free radicals generated by the cold plasma treatment of the PES membrane. The composite photocatalysts were characterized by FTIR, SEM-EDS, TEM-EDS, XRD, BET, UV-Vis DRS, XPS, and ESR methods demonstrating high surface area (51.0 m²/g), decreased bandgap, and the formation of active free radicals under UV light irradiation. Under photocatalysis and hydrogen peroxide activation, the degradation of AB260 (acid blue 260) catalyzed by 10%CuO@TiO₂ reached about 92% after 60 min. Besides, the photocatalytic and antifouling activities of CuO@TiO₂/PAA/PES membranes are high and stable over five continuous cycles. The water flux of the modified membrane was not significantly influenced and only decreased about 10% compared to the pristine membrane. In addition, the flux recovery ratios (FRR) of fouled membranes treated by photocatalysis were almost 100%.

State-of-the-Art of Polymer/Fullerene C60 Nanocomposite Membranes for Water Treatment: Conceptions, Structural Diversity and Topographies

To secure existing water resources is one of the imposing challenges to attain sustainability and ecofriendly world. Subsequently, several advanced technologies have been developed for water treatment. The most successful methodology considered so far is the development of water filtration membranes for desalination, ion permeation, and microbes handling. Various types of membranes have been industrialized including nanofiltration, microfiltration, reverse osmosis, and ultrafiltration membranes. Among polymeric nanocomposites, nanocarbon (fullerene, graphene, and carbon nanotubes)-reinforced nanomaterials have gained research attention owing to notable properties/applications. Here, fullerene has gained important stance amid carbonaceous nanofillers due to zero dimensionality, high surface areas, and exceptional physical properties such as optical, electrical, thermal, mechanical, and other characteristics. Accordingly, a very important application of polymer/fullerene C₆₀ nanocomposites has been observed in the membrane sector. This review is basically focused on talented applications of polymer/fullerene nanocomposite membranes in water treatment. The polymer/fullerene nanostructures bring about numerous revolutions in the field of high-performance membranes because of better permeation, water flux, selectivity, and separation performance. The purpose of this pioneering review is to highlight and summarize current advances in the field of water purification/treatment using polymer and fullerene-based nanocomposite membranes. Particular emphasis is placed on the development of fullerene embedded into a variety of polymer membranes (Nafion, polysulfone, polyamide, polystyrene, etc.) and effects on the enhanced properties and performance of the resulting water treatment membranes. Polymer/fullerene nanocomposite membranes have been developed using solution casting, phase inversion, electrospinning, solid phase synthesis, and other facile methods. The structural diversity of polymer/fullerene nanocomposites facilitates membrane separation processes, especially for valuable or toxic metal ions, salts, and microorganisms. Current challenges and opportunities for future research have also been discussed. Future research on these innovative membrane materials may overwhelm design and performance-related challenging factors.

Effect of Nanofillers on Properties and Pervaporation Performance of Nanocomposite Membranes: A Review

In recent years, a well-known membrane-based process called pervaporation (PV), has attracted remarkable attention due to its advantages for selective separation of a wide variety of liquid mixtures. However, some restrictions of polymeric membranes have led to research studies on developing membranes for efficient separation in the PV process. Recent studies have focused on preparation of nanocomposite membranes as an effective method to improve both selectivity and permeability of polymeric membranes. The present study provides a review of PV nanocomposite membranes for various applications. In this review, recent developments in the field of nanocomposite membranes, including the fabrication methods, characterization, and PV performance, are summarized.

Preparation of hollow-fiber nanofiltration membranes of high performance for effective removal of PFOA and high resistance to BSA fouling

Nanofiltration (NF) process has become one of the most promising technologies to remove micro-organic combined water pollution. Developing a NF membrane material with efficient separation for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) combined pollution is highly desired, this manuscript targets this unmet need specifically. In this work, hydrophilic SiO₂ nanoparticles with various contents blended with carboxylic multiwalled carbon nanotube were used to modify poly (m-phenylene isophthal amide) (SiO₂/CMWCNT/PMIA) hollow fiber NF membrane. The modified membrane with 0.1 wt% SiO₂ doping exhibits way better fouling resistance with irreversible fouling ratio decreased dramatically from 18.7% to 2.3%, and the recovery rate of water flux increases significantly from 81.2% to 97.7%. The separation experiment results had confirmed that the modified membrane could improve the rejection from 97.2% to 98.6% for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and its combined pollution with bovine serum albumin (BSA). It is clear that this reported SiO₂/CMWCNT/PMIA hollow fiber NF membrane potentially could be applied in water treatment. This research also provides a theoretical basis for efficiently removal of PFOA and its combined pollution by NF membrane.

Induced mazEF-mediated programmed cell death contributes to antibiofouling properties of quaternary ammonium compounds modified membranes

Functionalized antibiofouling membranes have attracted increasing attention in water and wastewater treatment. Among them, contact-killing antibiofouling membranes deliver a long-lasting effect with no leaching or release, thus providing distinctive advantages. However, the antibiofouling mechanism especially in the vicinity of the membrane surface remains unclear. Herein, we demonstrate that mazEF-mediated programmed cell death (PCD) is critical for the antibiofouling behaviors of quaternary ammonium compounds modified membranes (QM). The viability of wild type Escherichia coli (WT E. coli) upon exposure to QM for 1 h was decreased dramatically (31.5 ± 1.4% of the control). In contrast, the bacterial activity of E. coli with the knockout of mazEF gene (KO E. coli) largely remained (85.8 ± 5.2%). Through addition of quorum sensing factor, i.e., extracellular death factor (EDF), the antibacterial activity was significantly enhanced in a dilute culture, indicating that the density-dependent bacterial communication played an important role in the mazEF-mediated PCD system in biofouling control. Long-term study further showed that QM exhibited a better antibiofouling performance to treat feedwater containing WT E. coli, especially when EDF was dosed. Results of this study suggested that the bacteria on the membrane surface subject to contact killing could modulate the population growth in the vicinity via quorum-sensing mazEF-mediated PCD, paving a way to develop efficient antibiofouling materials based on contact-killing scenarios.

Boosting the Performance of Nanofiltration Membranes in Removing Organic Micropollutants: Trade-Off Effect, Strategy Evaluation, and Prospective Development

In view of the high risks brought about by organic micropollutants (OMPs), nanofiltration (NF) processes have been playing a vital role in advanced water and wastewater treatment, owing to the high membrane performance in rejection of OMPs, permeation of water, and passage of mineral salts. Though numerous studies have been devoted to evaluating and technically enhancing membrane performance in removing various OMPs, the trade-off effect between water permeance and water/OMP selectivity for state-of-the-art membranes remains far from being understood. Knowledge of this effect is significant for comparing and guiding membrane development works toward cost-efficient OMP removal. In this work, we comprehensively assessed the performance of 88 NF membranes, commercialized or newly developed, based on their water permeance and OMP rejection data published in the literature. The effectiveness and underlying mechanisms of various modification methods in tailoring properties and in turn performance of the mainstream polyamide (PA) thin-film composite (TFC) membranes were quantitatively analyzed. The trade-off effect was demonstrated by the abundant data from both experimental measurements and machine learning-based prediction. On this basis, the advancement of novel membranes was benchmarked by the performance upper-bound revealed by commercial membranes and lab-made PA membranes. We also assessed the potentials of current NF membranes in selectively separating OMPs from inorganic salts and identified the future research perspectives to achieve further enhancement in OMP removal and salt/OMP selectivity of NF membranes.

Synthesis and Optimization of Superhydrophilic-Superoleophobic Chitosan-Silica/HNT Nanocomposite Coating for Oil-Water Separation Using Response Surface Methodology

In this current study, facile, one-pot synthesis of functionalised nanocomposite coating with simultaneous hydrophilic and oleophobic properties was successfully achieved via the sol-gel technique. The synthesis of this nanocomposite coating aims to develop a highly efficient, simultaneously oleophobic-hydrophilic coating intended for polymer membranes to spontaneously separate oil-in-water emulsions, therefore, mitigating the fouling issue posed by an unmodified polymer membrane. The simultaneous hydrophilicity-oleophobicity of the nanocoating can be applied onto an existing membrane to improve their capability to spontaneously separate oil-in-water substances in the treatment of oily wastewater using little to no energy and being environmentally friendly. The synthesis of hybrid chitosan-silica (CTS-Si)/halloysite nanotube (HNT) nanocomposite coating using the sol-gel method was presented, and the resultant coating was characterised using FTIR, XPS, XRD, NMR, BET, Zeta Potential, and TGA. The wettability of the nanocomposite coating was evaluated in terms of water and oil contact angle, in which it was coated onto a polymer substrate. The coating was optimised in terms of oil and water contact angle using Response Surface Modification (RSM) with Central Composite Design (CCD) theory. The XPS results revealed the successful grafting of organosilanes groups of HNT onto the CTS-Si denoted by a wide band between 102.6-103.7 eV at Si^2p. FTIR spectrum presented significant peaks at 3621 cm^-1; 1013 cm^-1 was attributed to chitosan, and 787 cm^-1 signified the stretching of Si-O-Si on HNT. ²⁹Si, ²⁷Al, and ¹³H NMR spectroscopy confirmed the extensive modification of the particle's shells with chitosan-silica hybrid covalently linked to the halloysite nanotube domains. The morphological analysis via FESEM resulted in the surface morphology that indicates improved wettability of the nanocomposite. The resultant colloids have a high colloid stability of 19.3 mV and electrophoretic mobility of 0.1904 µmcm/Vs. The coating recorded high hydrophilicity with amplified oleophobic properties depicted by a low water contact angle (WCA) of 11° and high oil contact angle (OCA) of 171.3°. The optimisation results via RSM suggested that the optimised sol pH and nanoparticle loadings were pH 7.0 and 1.05 wt%, respectively, yielding 95% desirability for high oil contact angle and low water contact angle.