Polymer Membranes

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

This report describes the constitution and application of polymeric membranes in separation processes. The separation processes covered are reverse osmosis and nanofiltration, ultrafiltration, gas separation, pervaporation and ion exchange. An additional indexed section containing several hundred abstracts from the Rapra Polymer Library database provides useful references for further reading.

From the late-1960’s, perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSAs) ionomers have dominated the PEM fuel cell industry as the membrane material of choice. The “gold standard’ amongst the many variations that exist today has been, and to a great extent still is, DuPont’s Nafion® family of materials. However, there is significant concern in the industry that these materials will not meet the cost, performance, and durability requirementsnecessary to drive commercialization in key market segments – es- cially automotive. Indeed, Honda has already put fuel cell vehicles in the hands of real end users that have home-grown fuel cell stack technology incorporating hydrocarbon-based ionomers. “Polymer Membranes in Fuel Cells” takes an in-depth look at the new chem- tries and membrane technologies that have been developed over the years to address the concerns associated with the materials currently in use. Unlike the PFSAs, which were originally developed for the chlor-alkali industry, the more recent hydrocarbon and composite materials have been developed to meet the specific requirements of PEM Fuel Cells. Having said this, most of the work has been based on derivatives of known polymers, such as poly(ether-ether ketones), to ensure that the critical requirement of low cost is met. More aggressive operational requi- ments have also spurred the development on new materials; for example, the need for operation at higher temperature under low relative humidity has spawned the creation of a plethora of new polymers with potential application in PEM Fuel Cells.

Surface Engineering of Polymer Membranes covers the processes that modify membrane surfaces to improve their in-service performance, meaning, to confer surface properties which are different from the bulk properties. Purposes may be to minimize fouling, modulate hydrophilicity/ hydrophobicity, enhance biocompatibility, create diffusion barriers, provide functionalities, mimic biomembranes, fabricate nanostructures, etc. First, the basics of surface engineering of polymer membranes are covered. Then topics such as surface modification by graft polymerization and macromolecule immobilization, biomimetic surfaces, enzyme immobilization, molecular recognition, and nanostructured surfaces are discussed. This book provides a unique synthesis of the knowledge of the role of surface chemistry and physics in membrane science. Dr. Zhikang Xu of the Institute of Polymer Science of Zhejiang University has eight Chinese patents and in 2006 was honored as a Distinguished Young Scholar by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NNSFC).

Explore the comprehensive landscape of polymer membrane applications in this book, encompassing gas separation, organic solvent nanofiltration, water desalination, and fuel cells. The text delves into the subtle influence of polymer membranes on energy efficiency across diverse industries, spotlighting advanced variants such as bio-based, mixed matrix, and polyimides-based membranes. Offering an in-depth analysis, the book elucidates the discovery, development, and challenges associated with these state-of-the-art materials, underscoring their role in achieving enhanced performance and energy efficiency.

Various organic and synthetic polymers are important materials for the removal of organic and inorganic pollutants from wastewater and the separation of gases. The book discusses various types of membranes for microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, reverse osmosis, forward osmosis etc. A number of nanomaterials are available for the modification of polymeric membranes. Keywords: Polymeric Membrane, Water Purification, Water Softening, Water Desalination, Gas Separation, Osmosis Membranes, Microfiltration, Ultrafiltration, Nanofiltration, Carbon Nanotube, Nanosheets, MOFs, Porous Organic Cages, Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles, O2/N2 Separation, CO2/CH4 Separation, H2/N2 Separation.

Researchers in polymeric membranes as well as R&D professionals will find this work an essential addition to the literature. It concentrates on the method recently developed to study the surfaces of synthetic polymeric membranes using an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), which is fast becoming a very important tool. Each chapter includes information on basic principles, commercial applications, an overview of current research and guidelines for future research.

Following an introduction to the general concept of membrane separation in Chapter 1, preparation of polymeric membranes is discussed in Chapter 2. The book then describes in Chapter 3 membrane surface activation, which is a key step in ligand immobilizations. Chapter 4 focuses on ligand immobilization techniques and the organic chemistries behind them. Chapter 5 introduces the application of affinity membrane chromatography Finally, in Chapter 6, membranes used in biosensors and gas sensors, enzymatic membranes used as biosensor, and membrane biosensor for waste water treatment will be discussed. --