HYDROPHOBIC ORGANIC-INORGANIC COMPOSITE HOLLOW FIBER MEMBRANE AND METHOD OF FORMING THE SAME

摘要

The invention relates to hydrophobic hollow fiber membranes, and in particular, to hydrophobic organic-inorganic composite hollow fiber membranes. Methods for forming the hydrophobic organic-inorganic composite hollow fiber membranes are also disclosed. The hydrophobic organic-inorganic composite hollow fiber membranes may be used in membrane contactor applications such as gas-liquid (G-L) contactor and liquid-liquid (L-L) contactor processes. Applications for G-L membrane contactors include gas streams purification (gas absorption), water ozonation, and water deoxygenation. Applications for L-L membrane contactors include direct contact membrane distillation and liquid-liquid extraction.

主权项

1. A method for forming an organic-inorganic composite hollow fiber membrane, wherein the composite hollow fiber membrane comprises an organic hollow fiber membrane having inorganic nanoparticles incorporated therein, the method comprising the steps of:
(I) contacting an organic hollow fiber membrane with an aminosilane solution to obtain a silanol-functionalized organic hollow fiber membrane; and (IIA) contacting the silanol-functionalized organic hollow fiber membrane with a solution containing inorganic nanoparticles to obtain an inorganic nanoparticle-functionalized organic hollow fiber membrane and further contacting the inorganic nanoparticle-functionalized organic hollow fiber membrane with a solution containing hydrophobic compound molecules to obtain an organic-inorganic composite hollow fiber membrane, or (IIB) contacting the silanol-functionalized organic hollow fiber membrane with a solution containing a mixture of inorganic nanoparticles and hydrophobic compound molecules to obtain an organic-inorganic composite hollow fiber membrane, or (IIC) contacting the silanol-functionalized organic hollow fiber membrane with a solution containing inorganic nanoparticles to obtain an inorganic nanoparticle-functionalized organic hollow fiber membrane.