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Self-sustained electrospun nanofibrous membranes (ENMs) were prepared using the polymer polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and applied for desalination by direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD). Different electrospinning times were considered to prepare the PVDF ENMs of different thicknesses ranging from 144.4 to 1529.3μm. A systematic experimental study on the effects of membrane thickness on the DCMD performance is carried out for the first time. The surface and cross-section of the ENMs were studied by scanning electron microscopy and the mean size of the fibers together with its distribution was determined. The water contact angle, the inter-fiber space, the void volume fraction and the liquid entry pressure of water inside the inter-fiber space were determined by different characterization techniques. It was observed an enhancement of the thickness and the liquid entry pressure of water with the …