Growing to shrink : grafting alumina mesopores for molecular separations

Abstract

The Ph.D. thesis Growing to Shrink expands the capabilities of ceramic membranes. Membranes are selective barriers that provide a product of added-value. Membranes made from ceramics can be used in harsh conditions (high temperature, for example) and have a long lifetime. However, their potential has not been fully explored. To realize the potential of ceramic membranes, they have been combined with organic molecules to make new hybrid membranes for a variety of applications. In this thesis you will find hybrid membranes developed for non-polar solvent nanofiltration, CO2 separation, and for use in highly acidic streams. The methods to achieve this were pioneered inside this thesis. They include adapting controlled polymerization methods to the inside of nano-sized pores, as well as developing a new thiol-based networked film. You will also find a review of the organic solvent nanofiltration field as well as perspectives on the topics covered to conclude the thesis. The author believes that this work opens new avenues for research and industrial interest of ceramic membranes. This thesis is a product of the project “Modular functionalized hybrid organic-inorganic membranes”, in partnership with TU Delft and jointly funded by the Institute for Sustainable Process Technology (ISPT) and the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO), supervised by professors Louis Winnubst and Arian Nijmeijer of the Inorganic Membranes research group at the University of Twente.