Polymeric membranes are key in separating substances. They work through , , or , depending on the membrane type. These mechanisms allow for of molecules, making membranes useful in various applications.
hinges on material properties, , and . The polymer's structure, , and play crucial roles. Thinner membranes boost , while thicker ones improve . and also impact performance significantly.
Transport Mechanisms in Polymeric Membranes
Transport mechanisms in polymeric membranes
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Molecular Transport Phenomena: Diffusion, Osmosis, and Related Processes | Physics View original
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Solution-diffusion mechanism involves dissolving into the membrane material and diffusing through the polymer matrix driven by a concentration gradient across the membrane, applicable to dense, non-porous membranes (reverse osmosis membranes)
Pore-flow mechanism involves permeants flowing through pores or channels in the membrane driven by a pressure gradient across the membrane, applicable to porous membranes with pore sizes larger than the permeant molecules (ultrafiltration membranes)
Knudsen diffusion occurs when the pore size is smaller than the mean free path of the permeant molecules, collisions between permeant molecules and pore walls dominate the transport process, separation is based on the differences in molecular weights of the permeants (gas separation membranes)
Factors Affecting Membrane Performance
Factors affecting membrane performance
Membrane material factors include the and of the polymer, degree of crystallinity and , presence of functional groups that interact with permeants (, )
Membrane thickness affects performance, with thinner membranes generally exhibiting higher permeability but lower mechanical stability, while thicker membranes provide better selectivity but lower permeability
Operating conditions impact membrane performance:
Higher temperatures increase permeability but may reduce selectivity
Higher pressure differences across the membrane enhance permeation rates
, such as the presence of or competing species, can affect permeability and selectivity (water, salts, )
Mathematical Modeling of Mass Transfer
Mathematical models for mass transfer
Solution-diffusion model describes permeability coefficient
$P$
as the product of
$D$
and
$S$
:
$P = D \times S$
,
$J$
is proportional to the pressure difference
$\Delta p$
across the membrane:
$J = P \times \Delta p$
, selectivity
$\alpha$
is the ratio of permeability coefficients for two different permeants:
$\alpha = P_A / P_B$
Pore-flow model describes flux
$J$
as proportional to the pressure gradient
$\Delta p / l$
and the pore size
$r$
:
$J = (r^2 / 8\eta) \times (\Delta p / l)$
, where
$\eta$
is the viscosity of the permeant, selectivity is determined by the relative sizes of the permeant molecules and the membrane pores ()
Structure-Property Relationships
Membrane structure vs transport properties
Polymer and impact transport properties, with higher chain flexibility and free volume facilitating permeant diffusion, controlled by polymer composition, , and (, )
affects separation performance, with narrow pore size distribution enhancing selectivity, tailored by controlling the membrane fabrication process and post-treatment methods (, )
Surface properties, such as or of the membrane surface, affect the interaction with permeants, techniques can be used to improve selectivity and fouling resistance (plasma treatment, grafting)