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Project

Preparation of Advanced Composite Membranes through Surface Functionalization for Nanofiltration

This project aims to develop highly efficient antifouling nanofiltration (NF) composite membranes for fractionation of reactive dyes/salt mixtures. Firstly, novel hydrophilic and charged organic-inorganic hybrid nanocomposites based on organic nanoclay will be constructed in this research plan. The modified nanoclay will be analyzed at length in view of its morphology and size. Then polymer-matrix nanocomposite membranes are prepared via different membrane formation methods, including blending-phase inversion, interfacial polymerization, layer-by-layer assembly, crosslinking, coating.  The effects of the content of modified nanoclay on the membrane surface hydrophilicity and roughness, surface charge, microstructure, mechanical property are investigated in detail. In consideration of fractionation of reactive dyes/salts mixtures, an optimal solution for the construction of nanoclay/polymer-matrix membranes will be derived. The effect of fractionating dyes/salts mixtures on resulting membrane will be systematically investigated in view of different pressure, temperature, pH and composition of dyes/salts feed. Finally, the fractionation results of the new membranes will be compared with those of commercial NF membranes. Herein, the membrane formation mechanism and separation mechanism will also be studied in detail. 

Date:7 Oct 2015 →  30 Nov 2018
Keywords:membrane separation, porous materials
Disciplines:Analytical chemistry, Macromolecular and materials chemistry, Sustainable and environmental engineering, Catalysis and reacting systems engineering, Chemical product design and formulation, General chemical and biochemical engineering, Process engineering, Separation and membrane technologies, Transport phenomena, Other (bio)chemical engineering
Project type:PhD project