Nanostructured Polymer Membranes Volume 2

The 2nd volume on applications with discuss the various aspects of state-of-the-art, new challenges and opportunities for gas and vapor separation of polymer membranes, membranes for wastewater treatment, polymer electrolyte membranes and methanol fuel cells, polymer membranes for water desalination, optical, electrochemical and anion/polyanion sensors, polymeric pervaporation membranes, organic-organic separation, biopolymer electrolytes for energy devices, carbon nanoparticles for pervaporation polymeric membranes, and mixed matrix membranes for nanofiltration application.

This book is intended to serve as a "one-stop" reference resource for important research accomplishments in the area of nanostructured polymer membranes and their processing and characterizations. It will be a very valuable reference source for university and college faculties, professionals, post-doctoral research fellows, senior graduate students, and researchers from R&D laboratories working in the area of polymer nanobased membranes. The various chapters are contributed by prominent researchers from industry, academia and government/private research laboratories across the globe and comprise an up-to-date record on the major findings and observations in the field.

The 2nd volume on applications with discuss the various aspects of state-of-the-art, new challenges and opportunities for gas and vapor separation of polymer membranes, membranes for wastewater treatment, polymer electrolyte membranes and methanol fuel cells, polymer membranes for water desalination, optical, electrochemical and anion/polyanion sensors, polymeric pervaporation membranes, organic-organic separation, biopolymer electrolytes for energy devices, carbon nanoparticles for pervaporation polymeric membranes, and mixed matrix membranes for nanofiltration application.

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

Nanomaterial and Polymer Membranes: Synthesis, Characterization, and Applications presents a unique collection of up-to-date polymeric nanomaterial membranes. The book offers a perfect source to document state-of-the-art developments and innovations in nanocomposite membranes, ranging from materials development and characterization of properties to membrane applications. The book discusses applications that encompass the enhancement of sorption and degradation processes and their usage for the removal of different pollutants, including heavy metals, dyes, pesticides, and other organic and inorganic pollutants from the industry. Presents a powerful single source for the development of new, rapid, and highly efficient membrane composites Offers a perfect source to document state-of-the-art developments and innovations in nanocomposite membranes, ranging from materials development and characterization of properties to membrane applications Covers applications in membrane science, water treatment, and the removal of pollutants from waste water Provides theoretical and practical information about the synthesis and application of polymeric nanocomposite membranes Includes instructor support material available at textbooks.elsevier.com

Over 30% of commercial polymers are blends or alloys or one kind or another. Nanostructured blends offer the scientist or plastics engineer a new range of possibilities with characteristics including thermodynamic stablility; the potential to improve material transparency, creep and solvent resistance; the potential to simultaneously increase tensile strength and ductility; superior rheological properties; and relatively low cost. Nanostructured Polymer Blends opens up immense structural possibilities via chemical and mechanical modifications that generate novel properties and functions and high-performance characteristics at a low cost. The emerging applications of these new materials cover a wide range of industry sectors, encompassing the coatings and adhesives industry, electronics, energy (photovoltaics), aerospace and medical devices (where polymer blends provide innovations in biocompatible materials). This book explains the science of nanostructure formation and the nature of interphase formations, demystifies the design of nanostructured blends to achieve specific properties, and introduces the applications for this important new class of nanomaterial. All the key topics related to recent advances in blends are covered: IPNs, phase morphologies, composites and nanocomposites, nanostructure formation, the chemistry and structure of additives, etc. Introduces the science and technology of nanostructured polymer blends – and the procedures involved in melt blending and chemical blending to produce new materials with specific performance characteristics Unlocks the potential of nanostructured polymer blends for applications across sectors, including electronics, energy/photovoltaics, aerospace/automotive, and medical devices (biocompatible polymers) Explains the performance benefits in areas including rheological properties, thermodynamic stablility, material transparency, solvent resistance, etc.

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.

Design and Applications of Nanostructured Polymer Blend and Nanocomposite Systems offers readers an intelligent, thorough introduction to the design and applications of this new generation of designer polymers with customized properties. The book assembles and covers, in a unified way, the state-of-the-art developments of this less explored type of material. With a focus on nanostructured polymer blends, the book discusses the science of nanostructure formation and the potential performance benefits of nanostructured polymer blends and composites for applications across many sectors: electronics, coatings, adhesives, energy (photovoltaics), aerospace, automotive, and medical devices (biocompatible polymers). The book also describes the design, morphology, and structure of nanostructured polymer composites and blends to achieve specific properties. Covers all important information for designing and selecting the right nanostructured polymer system Provides specialized knowledge on self-repairing, nanofibre and nanostructured multiphase materials, as well as evaluation and testing of nanostructured polymer systems Serves as a reference guide for development of new products in industries ranging from electronics, coatings, and energy, to transport and medical applications Describes the design, morphology, and structure of nanostructured polymer composites and blends to achieve specific properties