We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Hydrophilization of Hydrophobic Mesoporous High-Density Polyethylene Membranes via Ozonation
AI summary Read the abstract
High-density polyethylene membranes were hydrophilized by ozonation to improve their water filtration performance. Ozone treatment increased surface hydrophilicity without compromising the membrane's porous structure. Hydrophilic membranes resist fouling more effectively, improving the longevity and efficiency of water treatment systems.
This work addresses hydrophilization of hydrophobic mesoporous membranes based on high-density polyethylene (HDPE) via ozonation. Mesoporous HDPE membranes were prepared by intercrystallite environmental crazing. Porosity was 50%, and pore dimensions were below 10 nm. Contact angle of mesoporous membranes increases from 96° (pristine HDPE) to 120° due to the formation of nano/microscale surface relief and enhanced surface roughness. The membranes are impermeable to water (water entry threshold is 250 bar). The prepared membranes were exposed to ozonation and showed a high ozone uptake. After ozonation, the membranes were studied by different physicochemical methods, including DSC, AFM, FTIR spectroscopy, etc. Due to ozonation, wettability of the membranes was improved: their contact angle decreased from 120° down to 60°, and they became permeable to water. AFM micrographs revealed a marked smoothening of the surface relief, and the FTIR spectra indicated the development of new functionalities due to ozonolysis. Both factors contribute to hydrophilization and water permeability of the ozonated HDPE membranes. Hence, ozonation was proved to be a facile and efficient instrument for surface modification of hydrophobic mesoporous HDPE membranes and can also provide their efficient sterilization for biomedical purposes and water treatment.
More Papers Like This
Surface modification of polyethylene microplastic particles during the aqueous-phase ozonation process
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers examined the surface modification of polyethylene microplastics during aqueous-phase ozonation, finding that increasing ozone dosage and exposure time progressively increased carbonyl and hydroxyl functional groups on the particle surface. FTIR and XPS analysis showed ozonation altered the surface chemistry of polyethylene microplastics in ways that could change their environmental fate and pollutant adsorption capacity.
The effect of Ozonation on the chemical structure of microplastics
AI summary Read the abstract
Ozone treatment of microplastics in water caused oxidative changes to polymer surfaces including carbonyl group formation and surface cracking, which altered hydrophobicity and potentially increased the capacity of treated particles to adsorb contaminants, suggesting that ozonation in water treatment may chemically transform rather than eliminate microplastic hazards.
Changes in physical and chemical properties of microplastics by ozonation
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers examined how ozone treatment in water systems changes the physical and chemical properties of six common types of microplastics. They found that ozonation altered surface roughness, wettability, and chemical composition of the plastics, with some types being more affected than others. The findings are important because these changes could influence how microplastics interact with other pollutants and organisms in treated water.
Ozonation facilitates the aging and mineralization of polyethylene microplastics from water: Behavior, mechanisms, and pathways
AI summary Read the abstract
Ozonation was shown to accelerate the aging and partial mineralization of polyethylene microplastics, with surface oxidation creating more reactive particles susceptible to further degradation. The study provides mechanistic insight into how advanced oxidation processes could contribute to microplastic breakdown in water treatment.
Enhanced Adsorption of Bromoform onto Microplastic Polyethylene Terephthalate Exposed to Ozonation and Chlorination
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that ozonation and chlorination of polyethylene terephthalate microplastics increased their surface hydrophilicity and carbonyl groups, significantly enhancing their adsorption capacity for the disinfection by-product bromoform.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.