Beaded electrospun polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes for membrane distillation (MD)

A new class of PVDF-based membranes suitable for membrane distillation were prepared via electrospinning. The classical fiber morphology PVDF electrospun was changed to generate a beaded structure by tuning the solvent ratio and operating parameters during fabrication. Results showed that increasing N, N-Dimethylacetamide (DMAC) acetone used prepare solution, micron-sized beads can be created within membrane. This is mainly ascribed lower saturated vapor pressure DMAC, which slowing polymer solidification rate, resulting in fiber-to-bead morphology. An increase bead density induces an WCA (from 134° 148°), with concomitant reduction thickness. Large bead-to-fiber ratios may obtained working low concentration (17 wt%) but at expense mechanical stability. latter enhanced solution concentration. results show simultaneous deployment 17 25 wt% solutions double-needle electrospinning device enables fabrication PVDF-beaded high hydrophobicity, thickness good stability distillation. best 34% permeability maintained more stable water flux compared commercial when filtering hypersaline high-recovery direct contact Thus structured structures represent facile method improve performance MD applications.