(123f) An Inorganic Nanotube/Polymer Composite Membrane Platform for Molecular Separations

Nanotubes possess intriguing mass transport properties, but have so far not been successfully integrated into an economical molecular separation device. This talk will describe the creation, characterization, and applications of a nanotube-based membrane separation platform by incorporating inorganic (e.g., single-walled metal oxide) nanotubes into polymeric membranes. In this talk, we will first describe the fabrication and characterization of defect-free nanotube/polymer composite membranes, containing aluminosilicate single-walled nanotubes embedded in a poly(vinyl alcohol) matrix. Next, we will describe the permeation behavior of molecules such as alcohols and water through these membranes by experimental and molecular simulation techniques. Finally, we introduce a mass transport model with specific applicability to composite membrane systems containing tubular fillers, and use it to analyze the membrane permeation properties. We show that our new model provides analytical guidance for the fabrication and understanding of membranes containing nanotubular fillers. This talk provides an overview of the state-of-the-art nanotube-based membranes for separation applications.