Emulsion Liquid Membranes with Nanoparticles for Pollutant Extraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Emulsion liquid membranes (ELMs) used for pollutant extraction from industrial wastewater face instability issues, leading to reduced efficiency in removing hydrocarbons and heavy metals, as they tend to swell and break, and lack of stability decreases extraction efficiency.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating nanoparticles, such as magnetic Fe2O3 nanoparticles, and ionic liquids like [BMIM][NTf2] into the emulsion liquid membranes enhances stability and extraction efficiency by improving the strength between emulsion droplets and preventing collision or coalescence, with magnetic nanoparticles aiding in demulsification using an external magnetic field.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional emulsion liquid membranes are used for pollutant extraction, then extraction capacity is high, but emulsion stability deteriorates causing swelling and breaking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveextraction capacityVSAvoidemulsion stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple components (ionic liquids, nanoparticles, surfactants) to create a composite membrane system. The ionic liquid [BMIM][PF6] serves as the membrane phase, nanoparticles provide structural reinforcement, and surfactants stabilize the emulsion interface, collectively resolving the contradiction between extraction capacity and stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies physical and chemical parameters of the membrane system by incorporating ionic liquids with specific properties (high stability, low volatility) and adjusting nanoparticle concentrations, thereby changing the membrane phase characteristics to simultaneously achieve high extraction capacity and enhanced stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If emulsion stability is improved by adding stabilizers, then extraction efficiency decreases due to reduced pollutant transfer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemulsion stabilityVSAvoidextraction efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different functional components to different locations within the emulsion system: ionic liquids in the membrane phase for stability, nanoparticles at the interface for structural support, and surfactants at the droplet surface for emulsion stabilization. This localized functional distribution maintains stability while preserving extraction efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces surfactants as intermediary substances that mediate between the stabilizing ionic liquid/nanoparticle system and the pollutant extraction process. The surfactants reduce interfacial tension and facilitate pollutant transfer across the stabilized membrane interface, resolving the contradiction between stability and extraction efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If nanoparticles are added to enhance stability and extraction, then device complexity increases due to additional components and processing steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemulsion stabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple functions into a single integrated membrane system where ionic liquids, nanoparticles, and surfactants work together in one emulsion liquid membrane formulation. This consolidation achieves enhanced stability and extraction performance without requiring separate processing stages, thereby limiting the increase in system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The combination of nanoparticles and ionic liquids significantly enhances the stability and extraction efficiency of ELMs, allowing for effective removal of hydrocarbons and heavy metals, with improved emulsion stability and reduced leakage, enabling efficient pollutant recovery from wastewater.

Implementation Method 1

stabilization of ELMs with nanoparticles enhances the strength between emulsion droplets and prevents collision or coalescence of the droplets

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface tension: Surface Tension

Implementation Method 2

magnetic Fe2O3 nanoparticles can demulsify by attracting particles from the droplet interface in the presence of an external magnetic field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 3

ionic liquids such as [BMIM][NTf2], and ([OMIM]PF6) are added to the membrane phase as a stabilizer to improve the stability of W1/O emulsions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface tension: Surface Tension

Implementation Method 4

wherein the pollutants transfer through phase (O) from phase (W2) to phase (W1) to react with the stripping agent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentUS11648512B2Enhanced emulsion liquid membranes for extraction of pollutants from water

Publication Date: 2023.05.16 THE CURATORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI

AI summary

Described herein are novel emulsion liquid membranes useful for extracting pollutants from industrial wastewater and water. The emulsion liquid membranes include, in various phases, at least one of nanoparticles, an ionic liquid, and combinations of nanoparticles and ionic liquids. Use of the present emulsion liquid membranes enhances the separation and the stability of the ELM method for pollutant extraction and recovery from wastewater and water.