Hierarchically Porous Membranes for Environmental Remediation - Polymer materials
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Cambridge
Department Name: Materials Science & Metallurgy
Abstract
This project aims to create novel polymer membranes for water purification. As part of this it will include both designing the membranes and their testing and characterisation. The membranes will be prepared using azobenzene surfactant templates in conjunction with standard surfactants to produce the secondary structure. Azobenzene is being investigated due to its isomerisation when exposed to UV light and the applications this may give in developing a tuneable secondary structure. Different options for creating the primary porous structure will be investigated including interfacial polymerisation. The project will also involve testing the effectiveness of the membranes as filters and could include using additional chemical catalysts to preferentially target specific contaminants.
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP/N509620/1 | 01/10/2016 | 30/09/2022 | |||
| 1937468 | Studentship | EP/N509620/1 | 01/10/2017 | 30/09/2021 | Thomas Southern |
| Description | This work amends the manufacturing method for polymer membranes to increase the connectivity of the smallest pores. These changes are characterised using scanning electron microscopy, 3D X-ray computer tomography and a bespoke permeability testing rig built as part of this work. It is found the inclusion of a second templating molecule into the initial step of manufacture changes the structure of the smallest pores from a closed structure to a fibrous structure. 3D X-ray tomography is used to study the changes in the 3D microstructure this second template adds. |
| Exploitation Route | The methods developed as part of this work for both manufacture and characterization of polymer membranes could be used by others in industry to increase the performance of commercial polymer membranes. The characterization work begun as part of this project could be investigated further by future research proposals. |
| Sectors | Energy,Environment,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology |
| Description | Centre for Advanced Materials for Integrated Energy Systems (CAM-IES) |
| Amount | £2,098,617 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/P007767/1 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 12/2016 |
| End | 11/2022 |
| Description | Bennett Group Collaboration - BET |
| Organisation | University of Cambridge |
| Department | Functional Inorganics and Hybrid Materials Group |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Preparation of samples for BET testing. Other analysis of samples. |
| Collaborator Contribution | BET testing of samples produced as part of this work. |
| Impact | No recordable outputs have yet been produced. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Bennett Group Collaboration - SEM |
| Organisation | University of Cambridge |
| Department | Functional Inorganics and Hybrid Materials Group |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Scanning electron microscopy was performed on metal-organic framework hybrid. The resulting images were used to develop image analysis techniques that will be used on the samples produced as part of the award. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Members of the Bennett group produced all of the samples analysed as part of this collaboration and characterised using other techniques. |
| Impact | No recordable outputs have yet been produced. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Cambridge Centre for Medical Materials - uCT |
| Organisation | University of Cambridge |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Production of samples. Analysis of samples. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Advice and training in use of CTAn software and interpretation of data. |
| Impact | No recordable outputs have yet been produced. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Manchester HMXIF - uCT |
| Organisation | University of Manchester |
| Department | Henry Moseley Imaging Centre |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Production of samples. Analysis of scan results. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Performing nanoCT scans on samples. |
| Impact | No recordable outputs have yet been produced. |
| Start Year | 2021 |