Predicting the mechanical properties of polysulfone (PSF) membranes from structural descriptors remains challenging due to extreme data scarcity typical of experimental studies. To investigate this issue, this study benchmarked knowledge-driven inference using four large language models (LLMs) (DeepSeek-V3, DeepSeek-R1, ChatGPT-4o, and GPT-5) against partial least squares (PLS) regression for predicting Young's modulus (E), tensile strength (TS), and elongation at break (EL) based on pore diameter (PD), contact angle (CA), thickness (T), and porosity (P) measurements. These knowledge-driven approaches demonstrated property-specific advantages over the chemometric baseline. For EL, LLMs achieved statistically significant improvements, with DeepSeek-R1 and GPT-5 delivering 40.5

Vacuum membrane distillation is foreseen as a membrane unit operation capable of providing access to drinking water in the future, through the saline water desalination. To increase the permeation of standard hydrophobic membranes, such as PVDF, mixed matrix membranes are defined as the next generation of membranes and prepared by adding a filler into the polymer phase. Therefore, the aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of a chabazite zeolite filler (from 0.5 to 4 wt%) into PVDF membranes, which were prepared by a non-solvent induced phase separation, and later tested, for the first time, for water desalination application at different operating temperatures. Chabazite was selected due to its high-water affinity (comparable to zeolite 4 A or 13X) and exceptional hydrothermal stability. To explain the impact of the chabazite, resulting membranes were thoroughly characterized with different analytical techniques, such as scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), nitrogen sorption, gas liquid porometry, water contact angle, and mechanical testing. As part of the outcomes, significant enhancement of the desalination performance was observed upon the addition of the chabazite; with the 4 wt% formulation being the best-performing. The permeate flux at 40 °C increased 2.7 times compared to the pristine PVDF membrane, e.g., 6.133 ± 0.540 and 2.256 ± 0.203 kg m- 2 h- 1, respectively. Despite different nature of the chabazite (hydrophilic) and PVDF (hydrophobic), the compatibility was sufficient to avoid formation of non-selective gaps and completely reject salt (99.99%). The membrane performed stable, with high salt rejection, for over 16 h before pore wetting was observed. Although, some issues with chabazite aggregation and pore wetting were observed, the chabazite demonstrated promising potential as a filler that enhances water transport.

Membrane technology in sustainable energy conversion and storage requires the development of tailored membranes able to conjugate high performance (ionic conductivity, perm-selectivity and durability) with acceptable costs and sustainability in their production. In this perspective, polymerizable ionic liquids (PILs) are conductive materials suitable to make high-performing and green ion-conductive membranes combining the unique properties of the ionic liquids, with the advantages of a macromolecular crosslinked polymer. This work presents a deep investigation of the structure-property relationship of phosphonium-based PILs as a functional material for anion-conducting membranes produced by casting and successive photopolymerization (almost solvent-free conditions). The PIL-based membranes prepared were dense, flexible, and completely stable after prolonged contact with water, saline and alkaline solutions. The crosslinking reaction avoided the dissolution of the membrane in water. However, mechanical test highlighted the role of water uptake on mechanical properties of the membranes. Moreover, it was also validated the possibility to blend different PILs in order to combine in synergic way the specific advantages of each component. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and membrane potential measurements pointed out a trade-off relationship between the ionic conductivity and perm-selectivity. Moreover, Small Angle X-ray Scattering and differential scanning calorimetry findings shed light on the role of the chemical nature of the PIL on membrane microstructure and transport properties. The main outcome of this research is the possibility to balance the low ionic resistance transport through the charged PILs, with a good stability, tailoring the chemistry of these advanced functional materials.

Our work investigates the feasibility of MIL-68 (In), a metal-organic framework (MOF), to enhance the desalination performance of hydrophobic PVDF membranes in vacuum membrane distillation (VMD). Using non-solvent induced phase separation, we successfully synthesized highly stable, porous, and selective MIL-68 (In) integrated PVDF membranes. The effect of varying MOF loadings (0.25, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 wt

The present study investigates a significant advance in the development of ion exchange membranes (IEMs) for water electrolysis. A membrane based on polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) was modified through a simple and cost-effective process, consisting of the incorporation of 15 wt% sodium metasilicate (Na2SiO3), followed by an alkaline (NaOH) surface treatment to improve its hydrophilic and ionic properties (M3A). Advanced characterisation techniques were applied to the membrane. The (FTIR) analysis displays the presence of the various functional groups such as -OH, CH2 (sp3), CF2, and Si-O-Si, while the (SEM) imaging showed a homogeneous surface. The membrane exhibited a tensile strength of 45.6 MPa. The ionic conductivity (IC), measured by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), reached a value of 2.2 x 10-2 S/cm in 1 M of NaCl solution, while the ionic permeability showed a value of 1.78 x 10-4 cm/s for ions (Na+), and 2.84 x 10-5 cm/s for protons (H+). The water uptake observed was 24.8%, along with an ion exchange capacity (IEC) of 0.56 meq/g. Moreover, a remarkable permselectivity of 95% determined by the potentiometry technique was obtained, confirming the membrane's effectiveness in ionic separation. The application of M3A in water electrolysis was studied using chronopotentiometry (CP). The electrolysis voltage in a cell with two compartments of different pH is less than 1.5 V and demonstrated operational stability over 50 h. In this type of electrolysis, M3A ensures continuity of electric current flow by migration and prevents the chemical diffusion of protons. Compared to the commercial CMI-7000 membrane, M3A offers remarkable performance in water electrolysis.

A simple and novel treatment strategy was developed to fabricate poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)-based forward osmosis mixed matrix membranes (MMM) with enhanced desalination performance. The proposed approach focuses on improving the surface properties of PVDF membranes through incorporation of ultralong hydroxyapatite (UHA) nanowires as hydrophilic inorganic additives. PVDF and UHA possess excellent mechanical strength, thermal stability, and chemical resistance, making them promising materials for membrane fabrication. However, the intrinsic hydrophobicity of PVDF limits water permeability and flux, reducing membrane efficiency and increasing operational costs. Therefore, UHA nanowires were incorporated into the PVDF matrix to enhance membrane hydrophilicity and separation performance. The fabricated membranes were comprehensively characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to investigate their structural, chemical, and morphological properties. Membrane performance was evaluated through forward osmosis desalination experiments by measuring water flux and reverse salt flux. The pristine PVDF membrane exhibited a water flux of 2.1 LMH, while the modified PVDF/UHA membrane achieved 3.6 LMH, corresponding to approximately a 70% enhancement in water permeability. In addition, the modified membranes demonstrated improved antifouling behavior and operational stability. The obtained results indicate that incorporation of UHA nanowires effectively improves membrane hydrophilicity and desalination performance, highlighting the strong potential of PVDF/UHA composite membranes for forward osmosis desalination and wastewater treatment applications.

Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) membranes are indispensable for water treatment but suffer from intrinsic hydrophobicity-driven fouling and poor wettability. This study presents a catalyst-free, two-complementary membrane-functionalization strategy based on ammonia-plasma-treated carbon nanohorns (CNHs) and postgrafted sulfonic/zwitterionic groups to create durable, charge-tunable membrane interfaces. Membranes were fabricated using the sustainable solvent triethyl phosphate (TEP) via phase inversion. CNHs provide metal-free carbon scaffolding with superior biocompatibility compared to CNT/graphene alternatives, while post-grafted sulfonic groups enhance surface hydration and electrostatic repulsion of foulants. Comprehensive characterization (XPS, ATR-FTIR, Raman, TEM, contact angles, zeta potential) confirms successful covalent immobilization and synergistic surface chemistry. Membrane fouling experiments with humic acid (100 mg L- 1, 6 h crossflow) reveal water permeability increases of + 33.0% (CNHs) and + 48.5% (sulfonated), reaching 2268 L m(- 2) h(- 1) bar(- 1), a 94% enhancement over pristine PVDF. Humic acid rejection reached similar to 85%, with flux recovery ratios of similar to 89% after simple cleaning, outperforming many reported benchmarks for CNT/GO-modified PVDF. Hansen Solubility Parameter modeling and predictive bioaccumulation screening (log BAF, BCF, Kow) suggest a comparatively low bioaccumulation potential for the selected modification agents and confirm reduced membrane-foulant affinity. This work establishes a practical pathway toward sustainable, high-flux, metal-free PVDF membranes for reliable water treatment, combining performance enhancement with environmental safety.

Pharmaceutical effluents contain persistent organic pollutants that require advanced treatment solutions supporting resource recovery and circular-economy objectives. In this study, polyethersulfone (PES) mixed-matrix membranes incorporated with graphene oxide-titanium dioxide (GO-TiO2) nanocomposites were engineered to enhance photocatalytic degradation and minimize fouling under real wastewater conditions. The best membrane (PM1, 0.05 wt% GO-TiO2) exhibited reduced hydrophobicity, enhanced mechanical stability, and improved selectivity, achieving 98% BSA rejection and up to 85.4% COD removal using a low UV input (24 W). Reusability tests with the PM1 membrane demonstrated strong resistance to fouling, with flux recovery ratios in the range 81%-85%. To enable proactive fouling management, machine learning models were trained using 755 experimental records and validated against 1202 additional observations. Among the algorithms tested, Support Vector Regression (SVR) achieved the highest predictive accuracy (R-2 = 0.995, RMSE approximate to 0.30, MAE approximate to 0.24), outperforming Ridge, Lasso, and ElasticNet, particularly under high flux saturation conditions (R-2 > 0.99). These results emphasize the efficacy of the integrated membrane-ML approach for fouling detection, accurate flux prediction, and enhanced process control. With high removal efficiencies for key contaminants and nutrients (NH4+: 98%, PO43-: 96%), this strategy presents an energy-efficient, scalable solution for industrial wastewater treatment, supporting circular economy goals in pharmaceutical industry.

The development of high-performance anion exchange membranes (AEMs) is essential for advanced electrochemical technologies such as alkaline fuel cells and water electrolysis. Here, we investigate the influence of phosphonium side chain length on structural hydration and chloride ion transport in polymerized ionic liquid (MPIL) membranes. Atomistic molecular dynamics simulations are conducted on hydrated MPIL systems with ethyl, butyl, and octyl n-alkyl substituents, and simulation results are validated against experimental data for water uptake and ionic conductivity. Shorter side chains (ethyl) significantly enhance water uptake (approximate to 81 wt%) and promote the formation of interconnected hydrophilic channels, resulting in markedly higher Cl- ionic conductivity. In contrast, longer chains (octyl) restrict water accessibility and confine ion diffusion within localized hydrophilic domains, favoring ion retention tendency at the expense of transport efficiency. Intermediate chain length (butyl) yields a balanced morphology, combining moderate hydration with controllable ion mobility. Quantitative analyses, including pore connectivity descriptors, ion-ion association free energies from RDF integration, and backbone-water interaction profiles, consistently confirm that steric hindrance modulates hy-dration shell formation, ion pairing, and channel percolation. This molecular-level insight suggests that alkyl chain engineering provides a tunable parameter for optimizing trade-offs between ion conductivity and relative mobility control in MPIL-based AEMs. The combined computational and experimental results provide practical guidelines for designing next-generation membranes for desalination, electrochemical conversion, and energy storage.

Over the last few decades, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs)-doped mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) have been recognized as outstanding materials for membrane fabrication in water treatment or desalination applications, which, in general, have exhibited a better performance than pristine polymer membranes. However, are those MMMs-containing MOFs really stable for desalination or water purification purposes? This short communication aims to experimentally demonstrate the potential for metal leaching under accelerated aqueous exposure into water streams from PVDF MMMs containing eight distinct MOFs. A straightforward leaching test was conducted by immersing the produced membranes in ultrapure water at 80 degrees C for one week, followed by quantitative analysis of metal ions using ICP-OES. The results revealed detectable metal leaching from all investigated MOF/PVDF membranes, with concentrations ranging from a few ppb up to several thousand ppb, despite the absence of significant changes in membrane morphology or porosity. These findings highlight that even MOFs commonly regarded as water-stable may lack stability when embedded in polymer matrices and exposed to aqueous conditions. This study underscores the importance of routinely assessing metal leaching and membrane integrity of MMMs for water separation applications, with implications for both environmental safety and long-term membrane stability.

Polysulfone (PSF)-based membranes have been widely studied for various applications, particularly in wastewater treatment, heavy metal extraction, and other environmental and industrial areas. In this work, nanofiltration membranes based on PSF were prepared using the evaporation method. To enhance the performance of PSF membranes, polyethylene glycol (PEG) with two different molecular weights was used as a plasticizing additive in the PSF matrix. This study investigates the effect of doping with titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles on the stiffness, hydrophilicity, and porosity of the membranes. To characterize our membranes, several analytical techniques were used, such as, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), rheometer, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), contact angle measurements, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). A photodegradation study was conducted under UV radiation for 12 weeks. UV-visible spectroscopy was used to characterize the membranes before and after aging. The results showed that adding 0.1 wt.% TiO(2 )nanoparticles increased the stiffness of the developed membranes, improved their thermal degradation resistance, and enhanced the contact angle and porosity of the fabricated membranes. The results of the aging study showed that the nanoparticles improve the membranes' resistance to photodegradation.

The study investigates the performance of polyethersulfone (PES) ultrafiltration (UF) membranes modified with a coating of polymerizable bicontinuous microemulsion (PBM) for membrane bioreactor (MBR) applications. Two types of PBM-modified PES membranes-casting-coated and spray-coated-were compared with a commercial PES membrane. A laboratory side-stream MBR (ssMBR) was employed to treat model wastewater (MW) with activated sludge under aerobic conditions. The fouling propensity of the membranes in ssMBR was evaluated through the implementation of two protocols: (i) flux-step test to treat low-strength domestic model wastewater (DMW) and (ii) constant flux test to treat high-strength olive mill model wastewater (OMW). The findings indicated that both the commercial PES and PBM spray-coated PES membranes started to critically foul at 36 L m-2 h-1. The PBM spray-coated membranes showed enhanced fouling resistance in comparison to the PBM casting-coated membranes. The deposition of the biofouling layer was the thinnest on PBM spray-coated membranes, which can be attributed to the low surface charge and high hydrophilicity of the modified membrane surface. In contrast, deposition of a thicker fouling layer was found on the commercial PES membrane, which can be attributed to the relatively higher surface charge promoting organic adsorption. A comparison of the fouling trends exhibited by commercial PES and PBM spray-coated membranes in OMW treatment revealed that they have similar fouling tendencies. However, a notable distinction emerged when the PBM spray-coated membrane was observed to demonstrate a lower fouling propensity accompanied by comparatively thinner fouling layers. The results demonstrate that the PBM spray-coated membranes have enhanced fouling resistance and filtration efficacy in MBRs treating wastewater with diverse strengths, thereby affirming their potential for application in wastewater treatment systems.

Within the MEloDIZER project, aimed at optimizing and advancing membrane distillation (MD) technology, PVDF-based membranes were fabricated using non-toxic solvents such as N-butylpyrrolidone (commercially known as Tamisolve), in both hollow-fiber and flat-sheet configurations. MEloDIZER is a Horizon Europe initiative focused on bridging the gap between laboratory-scale MD research and large-scale implementation through system design optimization, identification of the most effective membranes, and integration of renewable energy sources to improve efficiency in industrial, domestic, and community settings. The performance of the prepared membranes was evaluated in direct-contact membrane distillation (DCMD) using saline feed solutions. In MD, the membranes exhibited good transmembrane flux and an almost complete salt rejection (˜100%). The membranes were therefore also tested using a synthetic solution with higher salinity and in the presence of humic acid, consistently showing stable flux without wetting for 30 hours and a slight decrease in salt rejection to 99.8%, particularly under applied pressure. These results highlight the strong potential of the MEloDIZER project for the development of high-performance membranes for MD, representing a key milestone toward large-scale implementation.

Aim of this work was the production of imprinted membranes capable of selectively recognize theophylline (THEO) in an aqueous environment evolving from flat sheet to novel THEO-imprinted hollow fibers. For this purpose, a theophylline-imprinted polymer (MIP) was synthesized and dispersed in a poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK-WC) matrix for preparing asymmetric membranes via the phase inversion technique. The polymeric synthesis was performed using the bulk polymerization method in the presence of THEO. Methacrylic acid was the functional monomer, while ethylene glycol dimethacrylate and 2,2-azoisobutironitrile were the cross-linker and the initiator, respectively. Rebinding studies with the MIP permitted to assess its specific recognition properties toward the template. In sodium phosphate buffer (PBS) 0.1 M, the maximum imprinting effect was observed at an initial THEO concentration of 2 center dot 10(-4) mol/L and at pH 7.0. Flat sheet membranes were prepared varying the polymer content (5 wt%, 9 wt% and 18 wt%) with respect to the PEEK-WC matrix, while hollow fiber membranes were prepared at the 5 wt% of MIP or non-imprinted polymer (NIP) content. All the imprinted membranes exhibited specific recognition properties toward the template. With mix solutions of structurally related xanthines (theophylline/caffeine) flat sheet membranes with the lowest MIP content (5 wt%) showed a binding capacity of 2.80 mu mol/gm, while those with the 18 wt% of MIP showed a binding capacity of 6.14 mu mol/gm. Their theophylline/caffeine selective binding factor (alpha THEO/CAFF) were 3.18 and 5.96, respectively. The imprinted hollow fibers exhibited a binding capacity of 3.28 mu mol/gm and an alpha THEO/CAFF value of 3.64.

Polyaniline (PANI) was synthesized through an in situ oxidative polymerization method deposited onto a porous ceramic support composed of Algerian kaolin (DD1) containing 60

Hydrophilic poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) membranes were fabricated through a single-step non-solvent induced phase separation (NIPS) process using dimethyl isosorbide (DMI), a biobased and environmentally benign solvent. Amphiphilic non-ionic surfactants (Pluronic (R) F-127, TritonTM X-100 and Span (R) 80) were incorporated as pore-forming additives to tailor membrane morphology, porosity and surface wettability without post-treatment or chemical functionalization. The influence of coagulation bath composition (water, water/NaCl and water/isopropanol) on phase inversion kinetics and membrane structure was systematically investigated. The resulting membranes exhibited tunable pore size, porosity and hydrophilicity. Selected membranes achieved microplastic retention efficiencies of approximately 43%, demonstrating the potential of this sustainable approach for microplastic mitigation.

Materials combining organic and inorganic components at the nano-and submicron scale exhibit unique properties owing to their nanoscale architecture and the synergistic interplay of the constituent phases. Their main drawbacks include challenges in achieving nanoscale homogeneity, which can affect functionality, and the requirement for developing new and advanced manufacturing methods. Nanoprecipitation has emerged as valuable technique for hybrid particles production widely recognized for its simplicity and energy efficiency although its scalability and reproducibility remain a significant challenge. The present work explores the use of membrane nanoprecipitation (MN) for the continuous production of polymer-coated inorganic particles with finely tuned sizes and uniform size distributions. The coating efficacy of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) on cubic zeolites (similar to 100 nm) to obtain submicrometric composite particles was systematically investigated by modulating key parameters, including polymer and surfactant concentrations, solvent-to-non-solvent volumetric ratios, and polymer-to-inorganic mass ratios. The study attempts to establish clear guidelines for the application of the membrane-based coating process into the development of hybrid particles. Results highlight the advantages of the membrane system in achieving uniform, aggregate-free suspensions and its ability to tune the production of composite submicron particles.

In this study, porous polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) hollow fiber (HF) membranes for membrane distillation applications were successfully prepared using TamiSolve® NxG, an innovative lower-hazard solvent, through the non-solvent induced phase inversion technique. The influence of the bore fluid composition and bore fluid flow rate on membrane morphology and performance was systematically investigated while maintaining a fixed polymer dope formulation. The prepared hollow fibers were thoroughly characterized in terms of morphology, membrane thickness, porosity, contact angle, mechanical resistance, pore size, and pure water permeability. In addition, their performance was investigated through Direct Contact Membrane Distillation (DCMD) tests in order to evaluate their applicability in desalination processes. The developed PVDF HF membranes exhibited pore sizes comparable to those of commercial polypropylene (PP) membranes and achieved high permeate flux together with excellent salt rejection, demonstrating their promising potential for sustainable membrane distillation and desalination applications.

This study investigates the development of chitosan-based membranes enriched with limonene and thymol as eco-friendly biocidal agents for the conservation of stone in Cultural Heritage. The membranes were characterized through spectroscopic, morphological and wettability analyses to assess the incorporation of the active compounds and their impact on structural and surface properties. Antimicrobial performance was evaluated in vitro against Escherichia coli and by applying the membranes to artificially inoculated limestone samples from southeastern Sicily (Southern Italy). Results showed that both the chemical nature and concentration of the additives significantly influenced membrane performance. Thymol-enriched membranes exhibited stronger and dose-dependent antimicrobial activity compared to limonene-based systems. Moreover, the petrophysical characteristics of the stone substrates affected treatment efficacy, highlighting the importance of material compatibility. Overall, the findings highlight the potential of chitosan membranes incorporating natural compounds as sustainable alternatives to conventional biocides and provides a basis for future in situ applications in stone conservation.

Red dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus), also referred to as pitaya, is an exotic fruit rich in macro- and micro-nutrients, including powerful natural antioxidants, that brings numerous benefits to human health, mostly for the control and management of the oxidative stress. Therefore, it has a great potential for industrial exploitation aimed at maximizing the extraction of its high-value bioactive compounds, specifically betacyanins (red pigments) and phenolics, for the production of functional foods, beverages, and health products. This aim of this study was to evaluate the production of high-quality concentrated red dragon fruit juice by using an integrated membrane system based on a combination of ultrafiltration (UF) and osmotic distillation (OD) processes capable of effective, but still mild concentration of valuable juice. Specifically, after juice extraction, the raw juice was preliminarily clarified by UF and then concentrated by OD up to 41 and 50 °Brix using dehydrate calcium chloride brine as the osmotic agent. The performance of UF and OD membranes was investigated under selected operating and hydrodynamic conditions. In addition, the impact of the integrated process on the quality of clarified and concentrated juices was assessed in terms of physicochemical properties and antioxidant activity. Physicochemical parameters and antioxidant activity were largely preserved after concentration, demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed process in maintaining the nutritional, organoleptic, and nutraceutical properties of the juice.