Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

International comparative study on nanofiltration membrane technology based on relevant publications and patents

  • Published:
Scientometrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study adopts a bibliometric approach to quantitatively assess current research trends in nanofiltration membrane technology (NFM), a new membrane separation technology widely used in various fields. It analyses scientific papers published between 1988–2011 in all journals contained in the Science Citation Index and patent data with the same time span from the Derwent patent database. The study examines developments in basic NFM research and technological innovations. Over the past 24 years, there has been a notable growth in publication outputs. Compared with other countries, China exhibited a rapid growth, particularly from 2000–2011, with its total number of papers ranking second only to the United States (US). Chinese NFM papers focus on energy and agriculture, while the US focuses on biochemistry and molecular biology. China holds the most global NFM patents, with rapid growth in patent numbers from 2005–2011. China, the US and Japan together hold 78 % of the total global NFM patents and have a strong technological advantage in water treatment and separation technology. Although there are four Chinese institutions in the top 10 patentee list, most are application patents that focus on the integrated application of existing nanofiltration membrane. In contrast the patents owned by foreign patentees are mostly research patents involving technology innovations of the nanofiltration membrane itself. Therefore, NFM research capacity in China should be further strengthened to maximize the advantages gained via research to date.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bessen, J. (2008). The value of US patents by owner and patent characteristics. Research Policy, 33(5), 932–945.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bi, F., Chen, H. L., & Gao, C. J. (2011). Advances on trace organics removal from drinking-water by nanofiltration. Modern Chemical Industry, 31(7), 21–26.

  • Braun, T., Schubert, A. P., et al. (2000). Growth and trends of fullerene research as reflected in its journal literature. Chemical Reviews, 100(1), 23–37.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cao, M. (2011). The Study and Application of Nanofiltration Membrane. Guangzhou Chemical Industry, 39(18), 13–14.

  • Faleshi, M. (2001). Progress in membrane science and technology for seawater desalination-a review. Desalintion, 134, 47.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Han, S. S., & Liu, B. P. (2009). Application of nanofiltration membrane technology in water treatment. Anhui Chemical Industry, 3, 7–8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ho, Y. S. (2007). Bibliometric analysis of adsorption technology in environmental science. J Environ Prot Sc, 1, 1–11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hou, L., & Liu, X. (2010). Research progress and development prospects of nanofiltration membrane technology to water treatment. Membrane Science and Technology, 4, 1–7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Huang, Y., & Zhao, X. (2008). Trends of DDT research during the period of 1991 to 2005. Scientometrics, 75(1), 111–122.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jiri, V. (2008). Bibliometric analysis of the Czech research publications from 1994 to 2005. Scientometrics, 77(2), 345–360.

  • Keda, I., Nakano, T., Ito, H., et al. (1988). New composite changed revise osmosismembrane. Desalination, 68, 109–119.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keiser, J., & Utzinger, J. (2005). Trends in the core literature on tropical medicine: A bibliometric analysis from 1952–2002. Scientomet-rics, 62, 351–365.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kong, X. G. (2005). Discussion several common methods for the water treatment. Sci-Tech Information Development & Economy, 15(20), 295–296.

  • Kostoff, R. N. (2000). The under publishing of science and technology results. The Scientist, 14, 6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lo, S. C. S. (2010). Scientific linkage of science research and technology development: a case of genetic engineering research. Scientometrics, 82, 109–120.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ortega, L. M., Lebrun, R., et al. (2007). Treatment of an acidic leachate containing metal ions by nanofiltration membranes. Separation and Purification Technology, 54, 306–314.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Renou, S., Givaudan, J. G., Poulain, S., et al. (2008). Landfill leachate treatment: Review and opportunity. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 150, 468–493.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shi, J., Yuan, Q., Gao, CJ. (2001). Handbook of membrane technology. Beijing: Chemical Industry Press.

  • Suk, F. M., Lien, et al. (2011). Global trends in Helicobacter pylori research from 1991 to 2008 analyzed with the Science citation index expanded. European Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 23(4), 295–301.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tang, R., & Thelwall, M. (2003). US academic departmental Web-site interlinking in the United States disciplinary differences. Libr. Infor. Sci. Res., 25, 437–458.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tian, Y. G., Wen, C., & Hong, S. (2008). Global scientific production on GIS research by bibliometric analysis from1997–2006. J Informetr, 2, 65–74.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Uzal, N., Yilmaz, L., & Yetis, U. (2010). Nanofiltration and reverse osmosis for reuse of indigo dye rinsing waters. Separation Science and Technology, 45(3), 331–338.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van der Meer, W. G. J., & van Dijk, J. C. (1997). Theoretical optimization of spiral-wound and capillary nanofihrationmodel. Desalination, 113, 129–146.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang, Y. Q. (2011). The Research and Market Progress of Nanofiltration Membrane. Information Recording Materials, 12(6), 11–19.

  • Yang, L. Y., Yue, T., et al. (2012). A comparison of disciplinary structure in science between the G7 and the BRIC countries by bibliometric methods. Scientometrics, 93(2), 497–516.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zeng, Y. M. (2007). Membrane bioreactor technology. Beijing: National Defense Industry Press.

  • Zhang, L., Wang, M. H., & Hu, J. (2010). A review of published wetland research, 1991–2008: ecological engineering and ecosystem restoration. Ecological Engineering, 36, 973–980.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu, Y. J., & Sun, F. H. (1997). Study of factors affecting separation performance of nanofiltration membrane. Technology of Water Treatment, 32(2), 78–82.

  • Zitt, M., & Bassecoulard, E. (1994). Development of a method for de-tection and trend analysis of research fronts built by lexical or cocitation analysis. Scientometrics, 30, 333–351.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 70973118) and the National High Technology Research and Development Program (863) of China (No. 2011AA01A206).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China, Beijing, China

    Lihua Zhai, Yuntao Pan, Yu Guo & Zheng Ma

  2. Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China

    Fei Bi

Authors
  1. Lihua Zhai
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Yuntao Pan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Yu Guo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Zheng Ma
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Fei Bi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lihua Zhai.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Zhai, L., Pan, Y., Guo, Y. et al. International comparative study on nanofiltration membrane technology based on relevant publications and patents. Scientometrics 101, 1361–1374 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-014-1394-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-014-1394-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation