•TFN incorporated with LDH was fabricated via interfacial polymerization.•Minimal trade-off effects between permeability and selectivity.•LDH provides additional pathways for water to be transport ...across membrane.•Addition of LDH has improved the fouling properties of the TFN membrane.
In this work, thin film composite (TFC) membrane embedded with self-synthesized layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanofillers was prepared via interfacial polymerization technique for nanofiltration (NF) process. Prior to filtration experiments, the morphologies and physicochemical properties of the prepared LDH nanofillers and TFC membranes were characterized using TEM, XRD, FESEM, FTIR, AFM, zeta potential analyzer and contact angle goniometer. The results revealed that the self-synthesized LDH nanofillers possessed layered structured materials with typical hexagonal plate-like shape. Meanwhile, it was found that the membrane contact angle decreased remarkably from 53° to 33.96° upon addition of 0.1 wt% LDH nanofillers in the active polyamide layer. TFN membrane of 0.1 wt% LDH loading possessed the highest water flux of 54.62 Lm−2 h−1 at 7 bar. The highest rejections of Na2SO4 (97.3%), MgSO4 (95.5%), MgCl2 (95.2%) and NaCl (63.7%) were also achieved by the TFN embedded with 0.1 wt% LDH in polyamide layer. In addition to the excellent water flux and rejection, incorporation of LDH also enhanced the fouling resistance, proven by the improvement of pure water flux recovery by 52% after BSA filtration. The findings indicated the potential of the newly developed TFN membrane incorporated with LDH nanofillers for efficient NF membrane in water softening and pre-desalination process.
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We construct a model of social behaviour through the dynamics of interacting agents. The agents undergo game-theoretic interactions where each agent can decide to lend support to particular other ...agents or otherwise, and agents are rewarded according to total support received. We analyse and carry out Monte Carlo simulations of such systems to uncover their evolutionary dynamics, and to explore their phase structure.
Malaysia, with its rapidly growing economy, exemplifies the tensions between conservation and development faced by many tropical nations. Here we present the results of a multi-stakeholder engagement ...exercise conducted to (1) define conservation priorities in Peninsular Malaysia and (2) explore differences in perceptions among and within stakeholder groups (i.e. government, academia, NGOs and the private sector). Our data collection involved two workshops and two online surveys where participants identified seven general conservation themes and ranked the top five priority issues within each theme. The themes were: (1) policy and management, (2) legislation and enforcement, (3) finance and resource allocation, (4) knowledge, research and development, (5) socio-economic issues, (6) public awareness and participation and (7) rights of nature. In spite of their very different backgrounds and agendas, the four stakeholder groups showed general agreement in their priority preferences except for two issues. Respondents from government and private sector differed the most from each other in their priority choices while academia and NGO showed the highest degree of similarity. This ranked list of 35 conservation priorities is expected to influence the work of policy-makers and others in Peninsular Malaysia and can be used as a model to identify conservation priorities elsewhere.
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