DataSheet1_Sustainable nanomaterials: the role of Cyrene in optimising carbon nanotubes dispersion and filtration efficiency.PDF

This study focuses on the fabrication and characterisation of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) buckypapers and polyethersulfone (PES) flat-sheet membranes using Cyrene, aiming toevaluate its efficacy as a green solvent for these applications. Pristine SWCNTs were dispersed inCyrene without surfactants and compared to N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) dispersions. Buckypapers were fabricated from these dispersions and characterised using Scanning ElectronMicroscopy (SEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), and infrared spectroscopy. Their performancewas tested in wastewater and oil-water emulsion filtrations and antimicrobial activity. PESmembranes incorporating SWCNTs were prepared using phase inversion and analysed via SEM,optical microscopy, and contact angle. Membrane properties and water permeability were assessed,and bacterial challenge tests evaluated antimicrobial activity. Cyrene enabled the dispersion ofSWCNTs at higher concentrations (0.038 mg mL⁻1) compared to NMP (0.013 mg mL⁻1). Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) analysis revealed that Cyrene effectively debundles SWCNTs, yielding better dispersion. Buckypapers fabricated with Cyrene demonstrated dense, uniform networks with enhanced surface smoothness and promising filtration performance for wastewater treatment and oil-water separation. PES membranes made with Cyrene exhibited well-organised finger-like structures, interconnected pores, superior porosity, and higher water permeability than NMP-based membranes. Incorporating SWCNTs further improved membrane performance. However, bacterial challenge tests indicated no significant antimicrobial activity. The findings highlight Cyrene’s potential as a sustainable alternative to traditional solvents, offering improved material properties and filtration performance. Despite these advantages, further studies are necessary to address solvent residuals and long-term safety considerations, ensuring its suitability for broader applications.

本研究聚焦于以Cyrene为溶剂，制备单壁碳纳米管（single-walled carbon nanotube, SWCNT）巴基纸与聚醚砜（polyethersulfone, PES）平板膜，并评估其作为绿色溶剂在该类应用中的效能。未添加表面活性剂的纯SWCNTs可分散于Cyrene中，并与N-甲基-2-吡咯烷酮（N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone, NMP）分散体系进行对比。通过上述分散液制备巴基纸，并采用扫描电子显微镜（Scanning Electron Microscopy, SEM）、原子力显微镜（Atomic Force Microscopy, AFM）及红外光谱法对其进行表征；同时测试其在废水处理与油水乳液过滤中的性能，以及抗菌活性。
采用相转化法制备负载SWCNTs的PES平板膜，通过SEM、光学显微镜与接触角测量对其进行分析；评估膜的各项性能与水通量，并通过细菌挑战试验测试其抗菌活性。
相较于NMP（0.013 mg·mL⁻¹），Cyrene可实现更高浓度（0.038 mg·mL⁻¹）的SWCNTs分散。透射电子显微镜（Transmission Electron Microscopy, TEM）分析表明，Cyrene可有效解聚SWCNTs束，实现更优异的分散效果。以Cyrene为溶剂制备的巴基纸呈现出致密均匀的网络结构，表面光滑度更高，在废水处理与油水分离中展现出良好的过滤性能。
以Cyrene制备的PES膜具有规整的指状孔结构与相互连通的孔隙，相较于NMP基膜，其孔隙率更高、水通量更优；掺入SWCNTs可进一步提升膜的性能。但细菌挑战试验结果显示其无显著抗菌活性。
本研究结果凸显了Cyrene作为传统溶剂可持续替代方案的潜力，可改善材料性能与过滤表现。尽管具备上述优势，仍需开展进一步研究以解决溶剂残留与长期安全性问题，确保其可应用于更广泛的场景。