Functional Nanostructured Membranes

A membrane is considered the heart of every separation process because it is developed as a nanostructured/nanofunctionalized thin barrier that controls the exchange between two phases, not only by external forces and under the effect of fluid properties, but also through the intrinsic characteristics of the membrane material itself. This book compiles cutting-edge research in membrane science, nanomaterials, and nanotechnologies, mainly from interdisciplinary research groups at the Institute on Membrane Technology, National Research Council (ITM-CNR), Italy, working on membrane design, membrane process engineering, and selected materials and practices for enhanced transport mass, charge, and energy. It covers topics on the design of new nanostructured membranes with improved properties, together with the identification of efficient transport–property relationships. It shares and strengthens the knowledge of making membrane technology a much more powerful and eco-friendly route, enabling one to provide prospective solutions and benefits for numerous fields of applications where traditional separation technologies suffer from many deficiencies. It is a great reference for researchers and investigators; graduate, PhD, and postgraduate students; and end users interested in membrane science and technology, nanomaterials, eco-friendly separation, chemistry, biology, and process engineering.

Membranes have emerged over the last 30 years as a viable water treatment technology. Earth's population is growing and the need for alternative ways to generate potable water is rising. The recent advent of nanotechnology opens the door to improving processes in membrane technology, which is a promising step on the way to solving the earth's potable water problem. Current performance is enhanced and new concepts are possible by engineering on the nanoscale. This book presents key areas of nanotechnology such as fouling tolerant and robust membranes, enhanced destruction of pollutants and faster monitoring of water quality. 'Functional Nanostructured Materials and Membranes for Water Treatment' is part of the series on Materials for Sustainable Energy and Development edited by Prof. G.Q. Max Lu. The series covers advances in materials science and innovation for renewable energy, clean use of fossil energy, and greenhouse gas mitigation and associated environmental technologies.

This is the first book about functional nanostructures. Nanocrystalline materials exhibit outstanding properties and represent a new class of structural materials having a wide range of applications. In particular, there is considerable interest in developing nanocrystalline materials to be used as functional materials in aerospace applications, automotive industry, wear applications, etc. Future progress in these high technological applications of nanocrystalline materials depends on development of new methods of their fabrication and understanding of the underlying nano-scale and interface effects causing their unique mechanical properties.

There is a growing need for better membranes in several emerging application fields especially those related to energy conversion and storage as well as to water treatment and recycling. Processability, is an important functional property, often ignored, especially in the early discovery phase for new materials, but it should be one of the most important properties, that needs to be considered in the development of better membrane materials. Useful membrane materials have to be capable of being formed into thin membranes, in particular for membrane gas separation, water treatment and desalination, and then packaged, into large area membrane modules. All gas separation membranes that are in current commercial use are based on polymers, which are solution-processable. This book intends to deal with composite, in most cases hybrid polymer-based membranes for three separate application fields: energy conversion, energy storage and water treatment and recovery. Each chapter will explain clearly the various membrane processes then go on to discuss in detail the corresponding advanced membranes used. The logic that lies behind this is that you have to understand the process in order to develop new high-performance membranes. By taking this approach, the author aims to overcome the disconnection that currently exists between membrane materials scientists and industrial process engineers. Discusses interdisciplinary content by a single author, approaching synthesis and development of materials from the perspective of their processability Describes the novel aspects of membrane science that is related to energy storage, conversion and wastewater treatment Presents an emphasis on scientific results which have an impact on real applications in terms of renewable and clean energy challenges

Membranes with Functionalized Nanomaterials: Current and Emerging Research Trends in Membrane Technology provides researchers and practitioners with basic and advanced knowledge of sustainable membrane technology. The book summarizes recent progress made in novel functionalized nanomaterials (FNMs) used in modern membrane technology. It gives a comprehensive overview of state-of-the-art technologies in the field of nanomaterial-based membranes and provides in an in-depth and step-by-step way the foundational scientific knowledge on various sustainable membranes with FNMs technologies and their impact on society and in various industries. In addition, readers get a handbook in a compact form with various aspects of FNMs-based sustainable membranes. Explores innovative strategies to fabricate functionalized nanomaterials-based membranes Evaluates the advanced functionalized nanomaterials-based membranes and other transformational options Offers a detailed spectrum of applications of sustainable functionalized nanomaterials-based membranes

Membrane technology has received great popularity in many industrial sectors and significantly enhanced our abilities to restructure production processes, protect the environment and public health, and provide competitive strategies for separation and purification. However, the need for sustainable development has imposed new targets for this technology, such as more effective/precise separation and stricter admissible limits for the discharge of contaminants into the environment. Focusing on hot topic environment-related applications, Advances in Functional Separation Membranes introduces emerging membranes nanoengineered with attractive functions and discusses their key features. It also provides a comprehensive guide to various design strategies for such functional membranes, making it useful reference for environmental chemists and membrane engineers alike.

Functional membranes are used in food processing, sensor technology, medical and biomedical devices, desalination, waste water treatment, CO2 capture, energy production and energy storage, optoelectronics etc. The book reviews recent advances in the field and discusses challenges and perspectives. Keywords: Membrane Fabrication, Polymer Membranes, Self-Assembled Membranes, Molecular Probes, Membrane Fouling, Membrane Cleaning, Microfiltration, Ultrafiltration, Food Processing, Sensors, Medical Devices, Biomedical Applications, Desalination, Wastewater Treatment, Ion Exchange Processes, Polymeric Ceramic Membranes, Nano Holes, Fuel Cells, Lithium-Ion Batteries, Optoelectronics.

Nanotechnology in the Beverage industry: Fundamentals and Applications looks at how nanotechnology is being used to enhance water quality, as well as how the properties of nanomaterials can be used to create different properties in both alcoholic and no-alcoholic drinks and enhance the biosafety of both drinks and their packaging. This is an important reference for materials scientists, engineers, food scientists and microbiologists who want to learn more about how nanotechnology is being used to enhance beverage products. As active packaging technology, nanotechnology can increase shelf-life and maintain the quality of beverages. In the field of water treatment, nanomaterials offer new routes to address challenges. Describes the major properties that make nanomaterials good agents for increasing the purification of water and other beverages Outlines major nanoencapsulation techniques for use in a variety of beverage types Discusses the major challenges of using nanomaterials in both beverages and beverage packaging