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Can reactive radicals cause nanomaterial release from mixed-matrix membranes?

I'm designing MMMs with carbon nanotube fillers for water treatment. While they need to generate radicals for contaminant degradation, I'm worried about membrane integrity. This is a critical safety and longevity question for practical application. I'm looking for insight into the material science of radical-mediated interface degradation.

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By Binsee Answered 2 years ago

Absolutely, this is a valid and serious concern I've encountered in my work. Hydroxyl radicals are non-selective and highly energetic. While they target contaminants, they can also oxidize the polymer matrix, especially at imperfect interfaces around nanomaterials. This can create microcracks or weaken adhesion, leading to filler release. I would recommend rigorous long-term aging tests under operational conditions and selecting polymer matrices with high radical resistance (e.g., PVDF) to mitigate this risk.

 

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