I am inquiring if the new generation that still under research of silver nanoparticles impregnated desalination (RO) membranes would be more economic than already used traditional ones. Since i think that such novel membrane would be more costly since the use of sliver nanoparticles in its fabrication but i know that the additional favors of stronger biofouling resistant ability assuring extra years of membrane service life that may balance the additional investment cost. but i am not sure about my overview. I mean is it expected that the new membranes would be expensive and more complex production line would be needed ? so is it have propitious economic feasibility on the coming years?
Dr. Walid,
Generally speaking, the new technology is more expensive than conventional ones, especially the quality of the water to be treated is poor, e.g., low pH. Robust conventional membranes are the better choices for large scale applications.
A biofouling prevention effect from silver nanoparticles should increase the time between membrane cleaning procedures. This might give longer lifetime of the unit, but one cannot be sure.
I think silver is a poor choice as antibacteria agent in this case as the solubility of silver ions in seawater is very low (precipation as chloride salt).
its difficult to predict as there are question marks on the retention of antibiofouling properties of silver with time
also, leaching of silver may cause environmental problems
of course, the initial costs will be higher but there in uncertainty about the cost-effectiveness of this strategy as a lot will depend on how fast/slow silver loses its antifouling charcateristics
There some concerns
1. AgNPs leaching to the environment
2. and the fast degradation of NPs in the salt medium.
Dr. Walid,
1. You are right that such novel membrane would be more costly at this stage, but such "new membrane" is promising if the biofouling resistance does extend the service life. You might like to refer to Dr. Fan and Dr. Matin's comments about the cost-effectiveness of this strategy.
2. I don't believe AgNPs will stay stable without a proper substrate, so I guess it is not necessary to worry about the AgNPs leaching. Even it leaches, it will soon degraded and yield some Ag precipitates, which could be readily removed.
Dear Alham,
Membranes with nanoparticles will be more expensive than the current membranes (without nanoparticles). But balancing the total costs of membrane operation including reduced membrane performance, cleanings, downtime may provide opportunities for effective biofouling control strategies. One consideration to evaluate the effect of silver nanoparticles on membrane biofouling control is to do long term biofouling studies and to evaluate the leaching of silver.
Consider to have a look at a paper from Miller et al. (see below).
45. Miller, D.J., Araújo, P.A., Correia, P.B., Ramsey, M.M., Kruithof, J.C., van Loosdrecht, M.C.M., Freeman, B.D., Paul, D.R., Whiteley, M., Vrouwenvelder, J.S. (2012). Short-term adhesion and long-term biofouling testing of polydopamine and poly(ethylene glycol) surface modifications of membranes and feed spacers. Water Research 46, 3737-3753.
Best regards,
Hans
Addition of silver nanoparticles can enhance membrane performance. Additionally, plasmonic heating of the nanoparticles would be beneficial. Heating can be applied by using LED lights LASERS or any other source.
Dear Walid ,
Membranes with nanoparticles will be more costly & purification need long time while in liquid membrane technology, those membranes will prefer which are cheap & easy to use.
With regards
Dr. Jyoti tomar
did you considered the case of 'classic' membranes with addition of traditional antimicrobials not passing through the membrane?
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