Hybrid nanofiltration membrane fabrication and optimization on a pre-functionalized macroporous ceramic support
Many industrial process streams are comprised of solvents and small organic solutes (< 1000 g mol-1). To concentrate these solutes and purify the solvent medium, nanofiltration membranes are employed. The aim of this project is to make a stable and ultra-thin solvent resistant nanofiltration membrane by using a pre-functionalized macroporous ceramic support to direct the organic network formation. This new class of hybrid membranes will have the advantages over traditional membranes due to their ability to withstand basic/acidic conditions, organic mscassignmentsolvents, high temperatures etc.
The candidate will benefit of the expertise and equipment of the Inorganic Membranes group to:
Figure 1. Schematic representation of the synthesis of a polymeric ultra-thin membrane using a pre-functionalized porous ceramic support.
- Fabricate a selective layer on a commercial ceramic support. This method implies the functionalization of the inorganic surfaces via an inorganic-organic linking agent [1], followed by a network formation on the pre-functionalized support [2]. The fabrication process is shown in Figure 1.
- Characterization of the as-prepared membranes by various techniques, such as FTIR, AFM, permporometry, electron microscopy, etc.
- Synthesis optimization (monomer concentration, linker density, solvents, etc...) to control membrane properties.
- Evaluate the performance of membranes under OSN conditions: filtration of both polar and non-polar organic solvents with model solutes.
Skills which will be developed during this Master assignment which focus on synthesis and characterization:
- Functionalization of inorganic surface with inorganic-organic linking chemistry
- Adaptation to state-of-the-art “Click Chemistry” reactions for utilization in membrane technology
- Characterization of the as-prepared membranes (SEM, EDX, FTIR, AFM, permporometry etc...)
- Evaluation of membrane performances under OSN conditions (mixtures of solvents and solutes)
For more information please contact:
- Nikos Kyriakou (n.kyriakou@utwente.nl), Inorganic Membranes, Meander 236B
- Marie-Alix Pizzoccaro (m.d.pizzoccaro@utwente.nl), Inorganic Membranes, Meander 348
- Louis Winnubst (a.j.a.winnubst@utwente.nl), Inorganic Membranes, Meander 348
[1] A.F.M. Pinheiro, D. Hoogendoorn, A. Nijmeijer, L. Winnubst, Development of a PDMS-grafted alumina membrane and its evaluation as solvent resistant nanofiltration membrane, J. Memb. Sci. 463 (2014) 24–32. doi:10.1016/j.memsci.2014.03.050.
[2] M.F. Jimenez Solomon, Y. Bhole, A.G. Livingston, High flux hydrophobic membranes for organic solvent nanofiltration (OSN)-Interfacial polymerization, surface modification and solvent activation, J. Memb. Sci. 434 (2013) 193–203. doi:10.1016/j.memsci.2013.01.055.