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Interfacial polymerization for membrane application

Project

Project Details

Program
Chemistry
Field of Study
Chemistry
Division
Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering

Project Description

Separations are crucial in the chemical and pharmaceutical industry. Membrane technology has a growing relevance as a sustainable and competitive method. Developing highly selective membranes for processes like nanofiltration, reverse osmosis and gas separation. The focus of this project is the use of new functionalized monomers nanoengineered to generate ultra-thin selective layers for membranes.  


About the Researcher

Suzana Nunes
Professor, Environmental Science and Engineering
Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division

Affiliations

Education Profile

  • Postdoc and Humboldt Fellow, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
  • Ph.D. Chemistry, University of Campinas, Brazil, 1985

Research Interests

Professor Nunes' research interests are new polymeric materials for membrane manufacture, characterization and application, particularly for nanofiltration, pervaporation and gas separation.

Selected Publications

  • S. P. Nunes, P. Z. Culfaz-Emecen, G. Z. Ramon, T. Visser, G. H. Koops, W. Jin, M. Ulbricht, Thinking the future of membranes: Perspectives for advanced and new membrane materials and manufacturing processes, J. Membr. Sci. 2020, 598, 117761.
  • T. Huang, B. A. Moosa, P. Hoang, J. Liu, S. Chisca, G. Zhang, M. Alyami, N. M. Kashab, S. P. Nunes, Molecularly-porous ultrathin membranes for highly selective organic solvent nanofiltration, Nature Comm 2020, 11, 5882.
  • J. Liu, S. Wang, T. Huang, P. Manchanda, E. Abou-Hamad, S. P. Nunes, Smart covalent organic networks (CONs) with ""on-off-on"" light-switchable pores for molecular separation, Sci. Adv. 2020, 6, eabb3188.
  • S. Wang, L.Yang, G. He, B. Shi, Y. Li, H. Wu, R. Zhang, S. Nunes, Z. Jiang, Two-dimensional nanochannel membranes for molecular and ionic separations, Chem. Soc. Rev. 2020, 49, 1071-1089.
  • M. D. Vincenzo, A. Tiraferri, V.-E. Musteata, S. Chisca, R. Sougrat. L. Huang, S. P. Nunes, M. Barboiu, Biomimetic artificial water channel membranes for enhanced desalination, Nature Nanotechnology 2021, 16, 190-196.

Desired Project Deliverables

Highly crosslinked selective layers based on functionalized monomers and interfacial polymerization.

Characterization by electron microscopy, chemical analysis and performance in nanofiltration or gas separation experiments.

Integration into membranes in form of multilayers in the form of flat-sheet or hollow fibers with controlled porosity at the molecular level.  


Recommended Student Background

Chemistry

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3-6 months
Internship period
100+
Research Projects
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Cumulative GPA
310
Interns a Year