Ionic liquid-based transparent membrane-coupled human lung epithelium-on-a-chip demonstrating PM0.5 pollution effect under breathing mechanostress

The plausibility of human exposure to particulate matter(PM)has witnessed an increase within the last several years.PM of different sizes has been discovered in the atmosphere given the role of dust transport in weather and climate composition.As a regulator,the lung epithelium orchestrates the innate response to local damage.Herein,we developed a lung epithelium-ona-chip platform consisting of easily moldable polydimethylsiloxane layers along with a thin,flexible,and transparent ionic liquid-based poly(hydroxyethyl)methacrylate gel membrane.The epithelium was formed through the culture of human lung epithelial cells(Calu-3)on this membrane.The mechanical stress at the air–liquid interface during inhalation/exhalation was recapitulated using an Arduino-based servo motor system,which applied a uniaxial tensile strength from the two sides of the chip with 10%strain and a frequency of 0.2 Hz.Subsequently,the administration of silica nanoparticles(PM0.5)with an average size of 463 nm to the on-chip platform under static,dynamic,and dynamic+mechanical stress(DMS)conditions demonstrated the effect of environmental pollutants on lung epithelium.The viability and release of lactate dehydrogenase were determined along with proinflammatory response through the quantification of tumor necrosis factor-α,which indicated alterations in the epithelium.

Enhancing CO_(2) transport with plasma-functionalized ionic liquid membranes

The ionic liquid(IL) 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate treated with radiofrequency plasma is proposed for functionalization and immobilization on polyethersulfone supports to form supported ionic liquid membranes for CO_(2) separation.The effects of treatment time and transmembrane pressure difference on CO_(2) permeance were evaluated.The best gas permeation performance was obtained with a treatment time of 10 min and the transmembrane pressure difference was 0.25 MPa.Characterization of the materials by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy,x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy demonstrates that the IL is grafted with carboxyl groups and deprotonated through plasma treatment.A preliminary mechanism for the plasma treatment and facilitated transport of CO_(2)has been proposed on this basis.

Permeability and Selectivity of Sulfur Dioxide and Carbon Dioxide in Supported Ionic Liquid Membranes

Permeabilities and selectivities of gases such as carbon dioxide （CO2）, sulfur dioxide （SO2）, nitrogen （N2） and methane （CH4） in six imidazolium-based ionic liquids （[emim][BF4], [bmim][BF4], [bmim][PF6], [banim][BF4], [bmim][Tf2N] and [emim][CF3SO3]） supported on polyethersulfone microfiltration membranes are investigated in a single gas feed system using nitrogen as the environment and reference component at temperature from 25 to 45℃ and pressure of N2 from 100 to 400 kPa. It is found that SO2 has the highest permeability in the tested supported ionic liquid membranes, being an order of magnitude higher than that of CO2, and about 2 to 3 orders of magnitude larger than those of N2 and CH4. The observed selectivity of SO2 over the two ordinary gas components is also striking. It is shown experimentally that the dissolution and transport of gas components in the supported ionic liquid membranes, as well as the nature of ionic liquids play important roles in the gas permeation. A nonlinear increase of permeation rate with temperature and operation pressure is also observed for all sample gases. By considering the factors that influence the permeabilities and selectivities of CO2 and SO2, it is expected to develop an optimal supported ionic liquid membrane technology for the isolation of acidic gases in the near future.

Recent development of ionic liquid membranes

The interest in ionic liquids(IL) is motivated by its unique properties, such as negligible vapor pressure, thermal stability, wide electrochemical stability window, and tunability of properties. ILs have been highlighted as solvents for liquid-liquid extraction and liquid membrane separation. To further expand its application in separation field, the ionic liquid membranes(ILMs) and its separation technology have been proposed and developed rapidly. This paper is to give a comprehensive overview on the recent applications of ILMs for the separation of various compounds, including organic compounds, mixed gases, and metal ions. Firstly, ILMs was classified into supported ionic liquid membranes(SILMs) and quasi-solidified ionic liquid membranes(QSILMs) according to the immobilization method of ILs. Then, preparation methods of ILMs, membrane stability as well as applications of ILMs in the separation of various mixtures were reviewed. Followed this, transport mechanisms of gaseous mixtures and organic compounds were elucidated in order to better understand the separation process of ILMs. This tutorial review intends to not only offer an overview on the development of ILMs but also provide a guide for ILMs preparations and applications.

Synthesis,characterization and application of PVA/ionic liquid mixed matrix membranes for pervaporation dehydration of isopropanol

In this study,polyvinyl alcohol(PVA)–ionic liquid(IL) membranes were prepared for the separation of isopropyl alcohol(IPA)–water azeotropic mixtures by pervaporation.PVA-IL composite membranes were prepared by simple solvent evaporation method using four ILs,viz.,1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride(BMIMCl),1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride(HMIMCl),1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium tetra fluoroborate(HMIMBF4) and 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride(OMIMCl).Three ILs were used to study the effect of alkyl chain on the pervaporation performance.The study had focused on the effect feed water concentration from 10%–40%and effect of feed temperature from 50–80°C.Physiochemical properties of all the membranes were studied using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR),scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and contact angle measurement.The Arrhenius activation energies for permeation were estimated to be in the range 4–12 kJ·mol-1 from the temperature dependent permeation values.

CO_2/N_2 separation using supported ionic liquid membranes with green and cost-effective [Choline][Pro]/PEG200 mixtures

The high price and toxicity of ionic liquids(ILs) have limited the design and application of supported ionic liquid membranes(SILMs) for CO_2 separation in both academic and industrial fields. In this work, [Choline][Pro]/polyethylene glycol 200(PEG200) mixtures were selected to prepare novel SILMs because of their green and costeffective characterization, and the CO_2/N_2 separation with the prepared SILMs was investigated experimentally at temperatures from 308.15 to 343.15 K. The temperature effect on the permeability, solubility and diffusivity of CO_2 was modeled with the Arrhenius equation. A competitive performance of the prepared SILMs was observed with high CO_2 permeability ranged in 343.3–1798.6 barrer and high CO_2/N_2 selectivity from 7.9 to 34.8.It was also found that the CO_2 permeability increased 3 times by decreasing the viscosity of liquids from 370 to38 m Pa·s. In addition, the inherent mechanism behind the significant permeability enhancement was revealed based on the diffusion-reaction theory, i.e. with the addition of PEG200, the overall resistance was substantially decreased and the SILMs process was switched from diffusion-control to reaction-control.

INVESTIGATION ON PRODUCTION OF REFINED BRINE USED IN CHLORO-ALKALI MEMBRANE BY CHELATING RESIN D412

The adsorption property, the operating life, the operating exchange capacity and regeneration of D412 macroporous phosphonomethylamina chelating resin for removing Ca2+, Mg2+ and Fe2+ from high pH brine of alkali production by ionic membrane were investigated. The resin showed good physical-chemical and kinetic property, high exchange capacity, excellent durability.

Poly(amide-6-b-ethylene oxide)/[Bmim][Tf2N] blend membranes for carbon dioxide separation

Poly（amide-6-b-ethylene oxide）（Pebax1657）/1-butyl-3-methylimidazo-lium bis[trifluoromethyl）sulfonyl]-imide（[Bmim][Tf2N]） blend membranes with different [Bmim][Tf2N] contents were prepared via solution casting and solvent evaporation method. The permeation properties of the blend membranes for CO2, N2,CH4 and H2 were studied, and the physical properties were characterized by differential scanning calorimeter（DSC） and X-ray diffraction（XRD）. Results showed that [Bmim][Tf2N] was dispersed as amorphous phase in the blend membranes, which caused the decrease of Tg（PE） and crystallinity（PA）. With the addition of [Bmim][Tf2N], the CO2 permeability increased and reached up to approximately 286 Barrer at 40 wt%[Bmim][Tf2N], which was nearly double that of pristine Pebax1657 membrane. The increase of CO2 permeability may be attributed to high intrinsic permeability of [Bmim][Tf2N], the increase of fractional free of volume（FFV） and plasticization effect. However, the CO2 permeability reduced firstly when the [Bmim][Tf2N]content was below 10 wt%, which may be due to that the small ions of [Bmim][Tf2N] in the gap of polymer chain inhibited the flexibility of polymer chain; the interaction between Pebax1657 and [Bmim][Tf2N]decreased the content of EO units available for CO2 transport and led to a more compact structure. For Pebax1657/[Bmim][Tf2N] blend membranes, the permeabilities of N2, H2 and CH4decreased with the increase of feed pressure due to the hydrostatic pressure effect, while CO2 permeability increased with the increase of feed pressure for that the CO2-induced plasticization effect was stronger than hydrostatic pressure effect.

Nanocomposite Membranes based on Perfl uorosulfonic Acid/Ceramic for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Perfl uorosulfonic acid/ceramic nanocomposite membranes were investigated as electrolytes for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell applications under low relative humidity. Different nanosized ceramics（SiO2, ZrO2, TiO2） with diameters in the range of 2-6 nm were synthesized in situ in Nafion solution through a sol-gel process and the formed nanosized ceramics were well-dispersed in the solution.The nanocomposite membranes were formed through a casting process. The nanocomposite membrane showes enhanced water retention ability and improved proton conductivity compared to those of pure Nafi on membrane. The mechanical strength of the formed nanocomposite membranes is slightly less than that of pure Nafi on membrane. The experimental results demonstrate that the polymer ceramic nanocompsite membranes are potential electrolyte for fuel cells operating at elevated temperature.

缺血/再灌注对心室肌细胞膜离子通道的影响

缺血心肌获得再灌注后心律失常发生率理应下降，但反见增多，长期令人费解。以酶解豚鼠心室肌细胞为研究对象，应用膜片钳全细胞记录方法，在模拟缺血／再灌注环境下，观察钠、钙内向电流（INa、ICa-L）、背景外向钾电流（IK1）、延迟整流钾电流（IK）和ATP敏感钾电流（IkATP）的变化，探讨再灌注心律失常的可能机制。结果表明：①模拟缺血10，20min，INa峰值电流由对照3．19±0．50nA分别下降至3．13±0．48，2．73±0．37nA（后者P＜0．05），继之再灌注10，20min，INa分别降至2．44±0．39，2．06±0．38nA（P均＜0，01）。②模拟缺血10，20minICa-L分别比对照增加11．88％，15．45％，继之再灌注10，20min，ICa-L分别增加为22．62％，22．34％。③模拟缺血5min后IK1的内向整流作用减弱，IK1电流加大，且在再灌注后并不恢复。④模拟缺血5min后IKATP即由对照的0．25±0．07nA上升为0．61±0．13nA（P＜0．01），再灌注20mini。IKARP继续增加为0．96±0．15nA（P＜0．01）。可见缺血所造成的INa下降和ICa-L上升，在再灌注后INa进一步下降，钙内流进一步增加，IK1在再灌注后也不恢复，提示缺血所造成的膜通道损伤并不因再灌注后恢复，反表现进一步的受损，对此产生的电生理异常。

Diffusion analysis and modeling of kinetic behavior for treatment of brine water using electrodialysis process

In this study,the removal of monovalent and divalent cations,Nat,Kt,Mg2t,and Ca2t,in a diluted solution from Chott-El Jerid Lake,Tunisia,was investigated with the electrodialysis technique.The process was tested using two cation-exchange membranes:sulfonated polyether sulfone cross-linked with 10%hexamethylenediamine(HEXCl)and sulfonated polyether sulfone grafted with octylamine(S-PESOS).The commercially available membrane Nafion®was used for comparison.The results showed that Nafion®and S-PESOS membranes had similar removal behaviors,and the investigated cations were ranked in the following descending order in terms of their demineralization rates:Nat>Ca2t>Mg2t>Kt.Divalent cations were more effectively removed by HEXCl than by monovalent cations.The plots based on the WebereMorris model showed a strong linearity.This reveals that intra-particle diffusion was not the removal rate-determining step,and the removal process was controlled by two or more concurrent mechanisms.The Boyd plots did not pass through their origin,and the sole controlling step was determined by film-diffusion resistance,especially after a long period of electrodialysis.Additionally,a semi-empirical model was established to simulate the temporal variation of the treatment process,and the physical significance and values of model parameters were compared for the three membranes.The findings of this study indicate that HEXCl and S-PESOS membranes can be efficiently utilized for water softening,especially when effluents are highly loaded with calcium and magnesium ions.

Proteomic study provides new clues for complications of hemodialysis caused by dialysis membrane

The complications of hemodialysis accompanied the hemodialysis and threaten the patients’life.Besides the loss of nutrient substance,such as amino acid and vitamin,we found new clues that the adsorbed proteins on common-used polysulfone-based dialysis membrane might be the reason according to the qualitative proteomic study by ionic liquid assisted sample preparation method.Our results indicated that the adsorbed proteins on the membrane were related with complement activation,blood coagulation,and leukocyte-related biological process.The quantitative proteome further demonstrated some significant changes of signal proteins in the post-dialysis plasma after the hemodialysis,such as beta-2-microglobulin and platelet factor-4,which would further verify these new clues.