Mixed matrix membranes based on hollow fillers.

Membrane technology has known a strong evolution in the last decennia but one of the persisting flaws is the trouble to get a membrane with a combined high flux and high selectivity. The development of mixed matrix membranes, consisting of dispersed porous fillers in a porous matrix, was a very important breakthrough but there is still demand for improvement.The use of hollow spheres as fillers in mixed matrix membranes is an innovative step that has recently been developed at COK, but that needs further fundamental study to steer synthesis and broaden application potential. The fillers will be prepared by a micelle-controlled synthesis and by layer-by-layer synthesis on polystyrene beads. The parameters of both synthesis procedures will be refined, specifically aiming at submicron diameter hollow particles with a thin and dense wall.

Keywords:Membrane technology, Zeolites, Layer-by-layer

Disciplines:Process engineering, Polymeric materials, Composites and hybrid materials, Analytical chemistry, Macromolecular and materials chemistry