Open Access

Ismail Kayapa

• Water scarcity remains a significant global issue, highlighting the need for energy-efficient desalination technologies. This study examines Isothermal Membrane Distillation (IMD) as a sustainable method for water treatment, focusing on the material properties of PTFE and PVDF membranes. These membranes are recognized for their hydrophobic characteristics, which are essential in membraneWater scarcity remains a significant global issue, highlighting the need for energy-efficient desalination technologies. This study examines Isothermal Membrane Distillation (IMD) as a sustainable method for water treatment, focusing on the material properties of PTFE and PVDF membranes. These membranes are recognized for their hydrophobic characteristics, which are essential in membrane distillation, allowing for selective transport of water vapor while preventing liquid water from passing through. The research looks into important factors such as water contact angle, water uptake, porosity, and modifications from gold sputtering to improve electro-osmotic flow. Findings indicate that PVDF membranes show greater hydrophilicity, whereas PTFE membranes retain better hydrophobicity, making them more appropriate for high-temperature IMD applications. The study also assesses how gold-sputtered coatings affect membrane conductivity and overall performance, pointing out the difficulties in achieving consistent gold deposition. By employing heat and mass balance modeling, the research compares theoretical and experimental permeate flux values, showing that theoretical models often overestimate flux due to differences between the two setups and lack of precise temperature measurements within two sides of the module. Furthermore, increased salinity leads to reduced permeate flow rates by raising osmotic resistance. Future studies should aim to optimize the design of membrane modules, refine gold sputtering methods, and scale up IMD technology for industrial use. Incorporating waste heat sources and advanced membrane materials could improve efficiency, positioning IMD as a viable alternative to traditional desalination techniques.…