Penta-amine-impregnated ultrafiltration support matrix for rapid fabrication of a hyper-cross-linked polyamide membrane
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Solution Overview
Problem
The pharmaceutical industry faces challenges in efficiently recovering and purifying organic solvents, which constitute a significant portion of waste generated, due to the complexity and cost of existing technologies.
Innovation Solution
A filtration membrane is developed using a pentaamine-impregnated ultrafiltration support matrix, combined with phase inversion and interfacial polymerization, to create a hyper-cross-linked polyamide membrane for organic solvent nanofiltration (OSN).
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional two-step interfacial polymerization process is used for PA-TFC membrane fabrication, then membrane performance can be optimized, but fabrication time and process complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the ultrafiltration support fabrication and polyamide active layer formation into a single-step interfacial polymerization process. The amine-impregnated ultrafiltration support is directly dipped in crosslinker solution, eliminating the need for separate impregnation and crosslinking steps, thus reducing fabrication time while maintaining membrane performance
Solution Approach 2:
The ultrafiltration support is pre-impregnated with amine solution before crosslinking. This preliminary impregnation ensures that amine is readily available at the interface when crosslinker is applied, enabling rapid in-situ polymerization and reducing the overall fabrication time compared to conventional methods
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional multi-step membrane fabrication process is used, then membrane structure can be controlled, but device complexity and manufacturing effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple fabrication steps (support preparation, amine impregnation, crosslinking) into a single integrated process. The amine-impregnated support is directly exposed to crosslinker solution, combining impregnation and crosslinking operations, thus simplifying the fabrication process while maintaining structural control
Solution Approach 2:
The single-step interfacial polymerization process serves multiple functions simultaneously: it forms the polyamide active layer, creates crosslinks, and establishes the membrane structure all in one operation, reducing process complexity compared to traditional multi-step methods
3Reliability
If conventional IP process with separate impregnation and crosslinking steps is used, then membrane performance can be optimized, but fabrication effort and resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines amine impregnation and crosslinking into a single operation where the amine-impregnated support is directly dipped in crosslinker solution. This eliminates the need for separate drying, re-impregnation, and crosslinking steps, significantly reducing fabrication effort and resources while maintaining membrane performance
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 membrane achieves improved performance in terms of rejection and permeate flux, reducing the effort and time required for membrane fabrication while effectively separating organic solvents and solutes.
Implementation Method 1
The pentaamine in the first layer is physically adsorbed in the polysulfone and the polyvinylpyrrolidone
Implementation Method 2
The pentaamine in the second layer is covalently cross-linked with units of the phthaloyl chloride through at least one of a primary amine group and a secondary amine group
Implementation Method 3
a pentaamine-impregnated ultrafiltration support matrix for the rapid fabrication of a hyper-cross-linked polyamide membrane for organic solvent nanofiltration
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a filtration membrane. The filtration membrane includes a thermoplastic substrate, a first layer comprising a polysulfone, a polyvinylpyrrolidone, and a pentaamine, and a second layer comprising the pentaamine and reacted units of a phthaloyl chloride cross-linked to form a polyamide. A method of preparing the filtration membrane by impregnating pentaamine in an ultrafiltration support matrix for rapidly fabricating a hyper-cross-linked polyamide membrane is also disclosed. The membrane prepared by the method of present disclosure can be used for organic solvent nanofiltration (OSN).