Study on the reinforcing effect of nanodiamond particles on the mechanical, thermal and antibacterial properties of cellulose acetate membranes
Graphical abstract
Introduction
Membrane separation technology is one of the most efficient methods in separation science and processes due to its low energy consumption, easy scale-up, less or no use of chemicals, and absence of any harmful by-product formation [1]. Polymeric membranes have many advantages such as straightforward pore forming mechanism, higher flexibility, smaller footprints required for installation and considerably low costs with respect to inorganic membranes or metal frameworks, which make them more convenient for a wide range of applications in large scales especially in water reclamation and wastewater treatment processes [2]. Cellulose acetate (CA) is one of the foremost among polymer membranes which has been widely used in separation processes and has been nominated as one of the most applicable polymers in preparation of membranes, due to its high hydrophilicity, high biocompatibility, non-toxic nature, good desalting, high potential flux and relatively low cost [1], [3], [4]. However, narrow temperature range (maximum 30 °C), high biofouling and microbial degradation tendency, poor mechanical and chemical stability in both acidic and basic solutions are considered as its main disadvantages, which demands for efficient modification [4].
Due to the rapid growth of nanotechnology, fabrication of nanocomposite membranes has shown great impact and efficient performance in the past decades. In this regard, the role of various nanoparticles (NPs) on the engineering features of polymeric nanocomposite membranes has been extensively examined, in many cases significant improvement in mechanical, thermal and antifouling properties has been explored. However, the effective and uniform dispersion of NPs is still a challenging subject for researchers which is greatly influenced by the intraparticle interactions. It is well known that the uniform dispersion of NPs throughout the polymeric matrix and strong interfacial bonding between the NPs and the matrix are major factors that improved the mechanical and thermal properties of membranes [4], [5], [6], [7], [8], [9].
Several researches have been particularly carried out on the impact of NPs on the modification of CA based membranes [4], [6], [10], [11], [12], [13], [14], [15]. According to these studies, at high concentration of nanoparticles e.g. silver (AgNO3), polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS), and organically modified montmorillonite (OMMt), the mechanical and thermal properties of CA membrane decreased due to the agglomeration of NPs as well as the weak interaction between polymer and NPs. Also, the interfacial interaction between NPs and CA matrix played a crucial role in improvement of matrix properties [6], [13], [14].
Carbon-based nanomaterials are potentially useful due to their unique physical and chemical properties. Among them, detonation nanodiamond (DND) particles with a diamond core (sp3 carbon-carbon bond) that is covered with multiple functional groups including carboxylic acids, hydroxyl, ketones, ethers, and lactones, are favored for many direct applications or post modification [16], [17]. Due to the interesting characteristics of DND such as hydrophilicity [16], [18], [19], antibacterial activity [20], [21], biocompatibility [22], [23], [24], [25], [26], chemical stability [22], thermal stability [23] non-toxicity [22], [23], [27], superior hardness and mechanical properties, resistance to harsh environments [22], [28] and ease of surface functionalization [23], [29], it is predicted that it can be potentially used as reinforcement filler in fabrication of nanocomposite materials. The non-diamond carbon from DND surface can be easily removed via thermal or acid treatments and some desirable functional groups, such as carboxyl groups can be easily formed, which could be beneficial to dispersion capability of DND, especially in polar media [23], [30], [31].
To the best of our knowledge, literature does not report any document regarding the application of DNDs in fabrication of polymeric nanocomposite membranes. Excellent mechanical and thermal properties, very high specific surface area and the presence of hydrophilic functional groups on the DND surface make it an interesting and good choice to be used as reinforcement agent in CA matrix to overcome the inherent disadvantages of CA membrane. DNDs have recently emerged as an important focus in the development of antibacterial and antibiofilm forming agents [32]. Some materials with antibacterial activity such as silver more recently concern about the cytotoxic effects, aggregation and loss of antibacterial activity [33]. In this case, DND can be used as a new effective agent against bacteria and prevent the biodegradability of CA membrane.
In order to improve the mechanical, thermal and antibacterial properties of CA membrane, in this work, DND embedded CA nanocomposite membranes with various amounts of the DND contents NPs were fabricated via phase inversion method. Since the mechanical and thermal properties of the nanocomposite membranes depend on interaction between the polymer matrix and the NPs as well as on uniform dispersion NPs in polymer matrix, raw DNDs were functionalized via thermal treatment to create carboxyl groups on the surface of the DND. Fabricated membranes were analyzed by applying experimental methods such as mechanical tests, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Two and three phase theoretical models were also utilized to investigate the impact of DND on embedded CA membranes.
Section snippets
Materials
Cellulose acetate (Mn = 30,000), was used as polymer material to prepare the CA membrane, supplied by Sigma-Aldrich (Germany). The DNDs procured from Nabond Technology Co., Ltd., China, having phase purity higher than 98% and average diameter of 5 nm, providing a specific surface area of about 300 m2 g− 1. N-N-dimethylformamide (DMF, 99.8%, Merck) and deionized (DI) water were used as solvent and non-solvent, respectively.
Surface functionalization of DND via thermal oxidation
Due to the fact that the oxidation of carbon-based materials removes organic
FTIR analysis of DND treatment and membranes
The surface chemistry of the raw and thermally treated nanodiamonds; DND and DND-COOH, respectively, was determined by FTIR spectra. As shown in Fig. 1, in case of DNDs, the absorption peaks at 2922 and 2860 cm− 1 correspond to the asymmetric and symmetric stretching vibration of CH band, respectively. Also, the absorption bands at 1341 cm− 1 can be attributed to the deformation vibration of CH band in alkyl group [41]. The absorption peak at 3423 cm− 1 corresponds to the stretching vibration of OH,
Conclusions
In this study, the effect of detonation detnanodiamond (DND) and heat treated DND (DND-COOH) on the mechanical, thermal and antibacterial properties of CA membrane was studied. Phase inversion process with DMF as solvent was used to prepare flat sheet membranes. The presence of small amount of DND and DND-COOH particles in the membrane can significantly improve the mechanical, thermal and antibacterial properties of the membrane. The main conclusions are listed as follows:
- (1)
SEM images of the
Acknowledgement
The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support from Sahand University of Technology with grant number of 30/15975.
References (75)
- et al.
Fabrication of cellulose acetate/sodium dodecyl sulfate nanofiltration membrane: characterization and performance in rejection of pesticides
Desalination
(2012) - et al.
Polymeric membranes incorporated with metal/metal oxide nanoparticles: a comprehensive review
Desalination
(2013) - et al.
Separation of nitrophenols using cellulose acetate nanofiltration membrane: influence of surfactant additives
Sep. Purif. Technol.
(2012) - et al.
The effects of thermally stable titanium silicon oxide nanoparticles on structure and performance of cellulose acetate ultrafiltration membranes
Sep. Purif. Technol.
(2014) - et al.
Study on the fouling behavior of silica nanocomposite modified polypropylene membrane in purification of collagen protein
Chem. Eng. Res. Des.
(2015) - et al.
Preparation, characterization and fouling analysis of ZnO/polyethylene hybrid membranes for collagen separation
Chem. Eng. Res. Des.
(2015) - et al.
Analysis of fouling mechanisms in TiO 2 embedded high density polyethylene membranes for collagen separation
Chem. Eng. Res. Des.
(2015) - et al.
A novel cellulose acetate (CA) membrane using TiO 2 nanoparticles: preparation, characterization and permeation study
Desalination
(2011) - et al.
Effect of silica particles on cellulose acetate blend ultrafiltration membranes: part I
Sep. Purif. Technol.
(2008) - et al.
The effect of functionalized SiO 2 nanoparticles on the morphology and triazines separation properties of cellulose acetate membranes
J. Ind. Eng. Chem.
(2016)
A study into the effect of POSS nanoparticles on cellulose acetate membranes
J. Membr. Sci.
Novel carbon nanotube–cellulose acetate nanocomposite membranes for water filtration applications
Desalination
Surface functionalization and structure characterizations of nanodiamond and its epoxy based nanocomposites
Compos. Part B
Surface modification and dispersion of nanodiamond in clean oil
China Particuology
Immobilization of antibodies and bacterial binding on nanodiamond and carbon nanotubes for biosensor applications
Diam. Relat. Mater.
Bactericide and bacterial anti-adhesive properties of the nanocrystalline diamond surface
Diam. Relat. Mater.
Fluorescent PLLA-nanodiamond composites for bone tissue engineering
Biomaterials
Effect of heat treatment of nanodiamonds on the scratch behavior of polyacrylic/nanodiamond nanocomposite clear coats
Prog. Org. Coat.
Preparation of clear colloidal solutions of detonation nanodiamond in organic solvents
Colloids Surf. A Physicochem. Eng. Asp.
The formation mechanism of phase inversion membranes
Desalination
Biogenic silver nanocomposite polyethersulfone UF membranes with antifouling properties
J. Membr. Sci.
Polymer-layered silicate nanocomposites: preparation, properties and uses of a new class of materials
Mater. Sci. Eng. R. Rep.
Synthesis, characterization, permeation and antibacterial properties of cellulose acetate/polyethylene glycol membranes modified with chitosan
Desalination
Tribological behavior of PTFE nanocomposite films reinforced with carbon nanoparticles
Compos. Part B
Preparation of chitosan/cellulose acetate blend hollow fibers for adsorptive performance
J. Membr. Sci.
Photoluminescence of polyethylene oxide–ZnO composite electrospun fibers
Polymer
In situ generated silica nanoparticles as pore-forming agent for enhanced permeability of cellulose acetate membranes
J. Membr. Sci.
Organosilane-functionalized graphene oxide for enhanced antifouling and mechanical properties of polyvinylidene fluoride ultrafiltration membranes
J. Membr. Sci.
Novel polysulfone hybrid ultrafiltration membrane prepared with TiO 2-g-HEMA and its antifouling characteristics
J. Membr. Sci.
Mechanical behavior of transparent nanofibrillar cellulose–chitosan nanocomposite films in dry and wet conditions
J. Mech. Behav. Biomed. Mater.
Permeability performance of different molecular weight cellulose acetate hemodialysis membrane
Sep. Purif. Technol.
Mechanical properties and biomineralization of multifunctional nanodiamond-PLLA composites for bone tissue engineering
Biomaterials
Mechanical properties of epoxy composites with high contents of nanodiamond
Compos. Sci. Technol.
A surface energy analysis of bioadhesion
Polymer
Surface energy, wettability, and blood compatibility phosphorus doped diamond-like carbon films
Diam. Relat. Mater.
Physico-mechanical properties and thermal stability of thermoset nanocomposites based on styrene-butadiene rubber/phenolic resin blend
Mater. Sci. Eng. A
Studies and comparison of the liquid adsorption behavior and surface properties of single-and multiwall carbon nanotubes by capillary rise method
Colloids Surf. A Physicochem. Eng. Asp.
Cited by (63)
Naturally derived materials to enhance the membrane properties in (waste)water treatment applications - Mechanisms, scale-up challenges and economic considerations
2024, Journal of Water Process EngineeringWastewater treatment using nanodiamond and related materials
2024, Journal of Environmental ManagementEffective removal of organic dyes using novel MnWO<inf>4</inf> incorporated CA/PCL nanocomposite membranes
2023, Surfaces and InterfacesFabrication and characterization of novel PES-based nanocomposite hollow fiber membranes for the hemodialysis process
2023, Separation and Purification TechnologyReinforcing effects of fibrous and crystalline nanocelluloses on cellulose acetate membranes
2023, Carbohydrate Polymer Technologies and ApplicationsRecent progress on carbon-based composites in multidimensional applications
2022, Composites Part A: Applied Science and ManufacturingCitation Excerpt :The functionalization of ND surfaces could lead to the excellent dispersion of ND in their matrixes, thus produced a positive effect on thermal properties of substrate [180,182]. Compared with aforementioned works [181], Etemadi et al. [182] highlighted that the ND-COOH with good dispersion obviously improved thermal stability of the cellulose acetate membrane. Beyond that, the PDA modified ND (ND-PDA) provided the significant impacts in enhancing thermal properties of the PVA composites [180].