
Abstract A novel hybrid electrospin-electrospray process was introduced to manipulate the membrane hierarchical structure towards enhanced surface superhydrophobicity and structural integrity. In this study, the two-nozzle mode was used to simultaneously electrospin PH (polyvinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) fibers and electrospray PS (polystyrene) beads to prepare a PH-PS composite membrane, during which fibers and beads alternatingly deposited and entangled together on the collector. Upon using the optimized PS solvent and PS content, the optimal PH-PS membrane exhibited superhydrophobicity (water contact angle of 157.6°) and good structural integrity, benefiting from the combination of the tough PH network and the interspersed porous irregular PS beads, as well as their homogeneous blending and good adhesion during this advantageous hybrid electrospin-electrospray process. In addition to superhydrophobicity, the PH-PS composite membrane was also endowed with a uniform pore distribution and high porosity, leading to a greatly enhanced liquid entry pressure of water (LEPw). Once applied in the direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) process, it showed high desalination robustness and excellent anti-wetting performance with stable flux and high salt rejection under harsh feed conditions, providing great potential in practical desalination applications.
Polyvinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene, Membrane distillation (MD), Electrospin-electrospray, 540, Polystyrene, Superhydrophobic, 620
Polyvinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene, Membrane distillation (MD), Electrospin-electrospray, 540, Polystyrene, Superhydrophobic, 620
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 55 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 1% | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Top 10% | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 1% |
