Citation: Siyu Cao, Yufei Shu, Li Wang, Qi Han, Meng Zhang, Mengxia Wang, How Yong Ng, Zhongying Wang. Controlling nanomaterial distribution and aggregation in thin-film nanocomposite membranes: Role of substrate pore's relative size with nanomaterials[J]. Chinese Chemical Letters, ;2025, 36(10): 110793. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110793 shu

Controlling nanomaterial distribution and aggregation in thin-film nanocomposite membranes: Role of substrate pore's relative size with nanomaterials

Siyu Cao ^{a, b} ,
Yufei Shu ^a ,
Li Wang ^a ,
Qi Han ^a ,
Meng Zhang ^a ,
Mengxia Wang ^a ,
How Yong Ng ^{b, c, *,} ,
Zhongying Wang ^{a, *,}

a.
Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil and Groundwater Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
b.
Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117411, Singapore
c.
Center for Water Research, Advanced Institute of Natural Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai 519087, China

huanghy@bnu.edu.cn

wangzy6@sustech.edu.cn

Received Date: 26 August 2024
Revised Date: 30 October 2024
Accepted Date: 20 December 2024
Available Online: 20 December 2024

Figures(7)

Thin-film nanocomposite (TFN) membranes have garnered considerable attention for their potential to improve separation performance by incorporating nanomaterials. However, challenges such as these materials' uneven distribution and aggregation have hindered practical applications. While prior studies have largely concentrated on modifying nanosheets for compatibility with polymer matrices, the role of substrate pore size in influencing nanosheet distribution has been overlooked. In this work, MoS₂ nanosheets were dispersed in an aqueous phase to fabricate TFN membranes, investigating the effect of substrate pore size relative to the nanosheets. By systematically varying the particle size of MoS₂ and the pore size of the substrate, we reveal how these factors impact material distribution and structural uniformity within the membranes. Our findings reveal that larger substrate pores allow the MoS₂-containing monomer solution to infiltrate more effectively, minimizing nanosheet aggregation. This enhances membrane performance by promoting better dispersion. Our results underscore the importance of considering the relative size of substrate pores and nanosheets in TFN membrane design, providing a pathway to improved material integration and higher membrane efficiency.
- Nanofiltration,
- Thin-film nanocomposite (TFN) membranes substrate,
- Pore size,
- Aggregation,
- MoS₂ nanosheet
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