Carbon Nanotube Immobilized Composite Hollow Fiber Membranes for Pervaporative Removal of Volatile Organics from Water

This paper reports the development of novel carbon nanotube immobilized composite membranes (CNIM) for pervaporative removal of organics from an aqueous matrix. The nanotubes were immobilized into the pores of a composite, where they served as sorption sites that provided additional pathways for enhanced solute transport, affecting both the partitioning and diffusion through the membrane. Depending upon the process conditions, the enhancement in organic removal and mass transfer rates were higher by 108 and 95%, respectively. The CNIM demonstrated several advantages including enhanced recovery at low concentrations, lower temperatures, and higher flow rates. Overall, these lead to more energy efficient processes.