• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.17 no.11
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• pp.1235-1241
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• 2008

Membrane separation is extensively used for water/wastewater treatment because of its efficiency separation processes. However, particles in the feed water can deposit and accumulate on the membrane surface to created cake layer. As a consequence, the selectivity of the membrane and flux through the membrane are decreased, which is called fouling/blocking phenomenon. In order to solve fouling problem, we developed a novel membrane named Carbon Whisker Membrane (CWM) which contains vapor-grown carbon fibers/whiskers on the surface of the membrane and a layer of carbon film coated on the ceramic substrate. We firstly employed polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) as a testing material to investigate the fouling mechanism. The results suggested that Carbon Whiskers on the surface of the membrane can prevent the directly contact between the membrane body and particles so that the fouling/blocking could not occurred easily compared to the membrane without carbon whiskers. We also researched the relationship with the diameter, density of carbon whisker on the membrane surface and total flux of solutions. Finally, we will be able to control the diameter and density of carbon whiskers on the membrane and existence of carbon whiskers on the membrane, it is important factor, might be prevent fouling/blocking in the water treatment.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.211-216
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• 2018

Separation technology combining adsorption and membrane is expected to be applied in many fields such as water treatment. In this fusion technique, a functional carbon membrane having a carbon whisker grown on the surface of the membrane was developed to inhibit membrane fouling, which is a problem in the membrane separation process. In this study, to elucidate the mechanism of manufacturing the functional carbon membrane, the membrane was pretreated with the polymer latex of each mixing ratio and the membrane was formed by the CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) method. The membrane was analyzed by scanning electron microscope (SEM), CHN analyzer (Elemental Analyzer), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). As a result, the diameter and density of carbon whiskers were higher in case of polyvinyl di-chloride (PVdC): polyvinyl chloride (PVC) = 4.5: 55. It seems possible to control the diameter and density of the carbon whiskers according to the hydrogen content of the polymer latex.