Patent ID: 10179314

Abstract:
The invention, belonging to the field of membrane technology, presents a method for the high-throughput preparation of carbon nanotube hollow fiber membranes. This method contains three major steps. Firstly, the pristine carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are added into a mixture of concentrated nitric acid and sulfuric acid, which is then heated at 40˜80° C. for 0.5˜6 hours. Secondly, the surface-functionalized CNTs and polyvinyl butyral (PVB) are dispersed and dissolved, respectively, in organic solvents at a mass ratio of 1:0.2˜1:4˜8 to form homogeneous spinning solution, which is squeezed into water as shell liquid with water as core liquid at a flow rate ratios of 0.5˜5:1 through a spinneret to form CNT/PVB hollow fibers. Finally, the dry fibers are calcinated at 600˜1000 ° C. for 1˜4 hours in absence of oxygen to produce free-standing CNT hollow fiber membranes. The method involved in this invention is simple and highly efficient without needing any templates, expensive apparatuses and chemicals. Additionally, the obtained electrically conductive CNT hollow fiber membranes feature a high porosity, high water flux and strong acid/alkali resistance.