Membrane Fabrication
Predicting Membrane Performance
To make the process of membrane design more efficient, we study the link between formation, morphology, and performance in polyamide membranes fabricated via interfacial polymerization (IP). This formation process is studied by varying synthesis conditions and tracking pH and temperature via in-situ imaging. ‘Smooth’ to ‘crumpled’ film morphologies can be observed via SEM and linked to the formation process. 3D film morphology is characterized using electron tomography and is also linked to membrane performance.
Publications
Ritt, C.L., Stassin, T., Davenport, D.M., DuChanois, R.M., Nulens, I., Yang, Z., Ben-Zvi, A., Segev-Mark, N., Elimelech, M., Tang, C.Y., Ramon, G.Z., Vankelecom, I.F.J., Verbeke, R. (2021) “The Open Membrane Database: Synthesis–structure–performance relationships of reverse osmosis membranes” Journal of Membrane Science 641, 119927. (pdf)
Freger, V., Ramon, G.Z. (2021) “Polyamide Desalination Membranes: State of Understanding” Progress in Polymer Science 101451. (pdf)
Nunes , S.P., Culfaz-Emecen, P.Z. , Ramon, G.Z., Visser, T., Koops, G.H., Jin, W., Ulbricht, M. (2020) “Thinking the future of membranes: Perspectives for advanced and new membrane materials and manufacturing processes” Journal of Membrane Science 598, 117761. (pdf)
Mondal, S., Griffiths, I.M., Ramon, G.Z.(2019)“Structure-performance models for membrane transport: a unified perspective”, Journal of Membrane Science 588, 117166. (pdf)
Ukrainsky, B., Ramon, G.Z. (2018) “Temperature measurement of the reaction zone during polyamid film formation by interfacial polymerization” Journal of Membrane Science 566, 329-335. (pdf)
Manickam, S.S., Ramon, G.Z., McCutcheon, J. (2017) “Modelling the effect of film-pore coupled transport on composite forward osmosis membrane performance” Journal of Membrane Science 523, 533-54. (pdf)
Fouling Mitigation
Clearing the Surface by AC
Fouling is one of the crucial hazards in membrane separation processes. A major chunk of the operational and fixed cost of the membrane separation process is spent in this regard. We are working towards developing a new approach of fouling mitigating by using an AC electric field which might give a sustainable solution to this problem.
Publications
Ritt, C.L., Stassin, T., Davenport, D.M., DuChanois, R.M., Nulens, I., Yang, Z., Ben-Zvi, A., Segev-Mark, N., Elimelech, M., Tang, C.Y., Ramon, G.Z., Vankelecom, I.F.J., Verbeke, R. (2021) “The Open Membrane Database: Synthesis–structure–performance relationships of reverse osmosis membranes” Journal of Membrane Science 641, 119927. (pdf)
Epstein, J.A., Ramon, G.Z. (2021) “In-situ microrheology of a foulant layer at a membrane surface” Journal of Membrane Science 640, 119747. (pdf)
Itzhak,T., Segev-Mark, N., Simon, A., Abetz, V., Ramon, G.Z., Segal-Peretz, T., “Atomic layer deposition for gradient surface modification and controlled hydrophilization of ultrafiltration polymer membranes” ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 13, 15591-15600 (pdf)
Glavagno, M., Ramon, G.Z. “The hydrodynamic-colloidal interaction of a droplet and a permeable surface” Langmuir 36(11), 2858-2864. (pdf)
Rao, U., Iddy, A., Jung, B., Khor, C-M., Turchi, C., Cath, T., Hoek, E.M.V., Ramon, G.Z., Jassby, D. “Mineral Scale Prevention on Electrically Conducting Desalination Membranes using Induced Electrophoretic Mixing” Environmental Science & Technology 54(6), 3678-3690. (pdf)
Ahn, V., Segev-Mark, N., Ramon, G.Z., Qian, X., Wickramasinghe S.R (2019) “Oil deposition on polymer-brush coated nanofiltration membranes” Membranes 9, 168. (pdf)
Segev-Mark, N., Ahn, V., Chen, N., Qian, X., Wickramasinghe S.R., Ramon, G.Z. (2019) “Colloidal deposition onto polymer-brush coated nanofiltration membranes” Separation and purification technology 219, 208-215. (pdf)
Dana, A., Hadas, S., Ramon, G.Z., “Osmotic backwashing of nanofiltration membranes: Modeling and experiments” Desalination 468, 114029. (pdf)
Zhu, X., Dudchenko, A., Khor, C.M., Ramon, G.Z., Jassby, D., (2018) “Field-Induced Redistribution of Surfactants at the Oil/Water Interface Reduces Membrane Fouling on Electrically Conducting Carbon Nanotube UF Membranes” Environmental Science and Technology 52,11591-11600. (pdf)
Ramon, G.Z. (2018) “Solute transport under oscillating electro-osmotic flow in a closed-ended cylindrical pore” Journal of Engineering Mathematics 110(1), 195-205. (pdf)
Fux, G., Ramon, G.Z. (2017) “micro-scale dynamics of membrane fouling by oil droplets” Environmental Science and Technology 51(23), 13842-13849. (pdf)
Yachnin, E., Ramon, G.Z. (2017) “Direct microscopic observation of macromolecular deposition on a nanofiltration membrane” Separation Science and Technology 52:2, 258-265. (pdf)
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