CNSOL · Carbon Nanomembranes with Sub-Nanometer Channels for Molecular Separation in Organic Liquids
Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2019-10-14 → 2021-10-13
- EU contribution
- €224,934
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- MSCA-IF-EF-ST
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
Carbon Nanomembranes with Sub-Nanometer Channels for Molecular Separation in Organic Liquids
Global industries strive for higher energy efficiency to achieve smart, sustainable, and inclusive growth. Membrane-based molecular separation has the potential to realize more than 90% energy savings over conventional distillation in the energy-intensive industry. Current challenges that are holding back the realization of these significant energy savings are the lack of membrane materials with high permeance, high selectivity, and high stability. The project aims to address these obstacles by constructing a carbon nanomembrane (CNM) with an ultrathin selective layer, uniform pores, and a stable architecture. CNMs are 2D materials beyond graphene, synthesized by crosslinking of aromatic monolayers. The membrane is one nanometer thick, thus it allows molecules to pass quickly with a low resistance; it mainly comprises carbon, thereby possessing high chemical and thermal stability. Moreover, these materials are built in a versatile and scalable fabrication route, enabling flexible selection of substrates and precursors to customize membrane properties at a molecular level. We will attempt to study the intrinsic membrane structures and characteristics by examining the permeability and selectivity of freestanding CNMs, scale-up nanomembrane materials by constructing nanocomposite CNM membranes comprising mesoporous polymers, as well as understanding the transport mechanism in nanofluidic channels. This project will open a simple avenue to creating 2D membrane materials towards energy-efficient molecular separations.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
Energy efficiency is a key principle of the EU’s 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth, and implementation of this strategy requires innovation in energy intensive industries. Organic solvent nanofiltration (OSN) meets this need—it is a membrane-based separation with the potential to achieve more than 90% energy savings over conventional distillation in the energy intensive chemical industry. Current challenges for OSN are the need for materials with high flux, high selectivity and high chemical resistance. This proposal advocates meeting this need by constructing a membrane with: i) an ultrathin selective layer, ii) uniform pore sizes and iii) a cross-linked network. Carbon nanomembranes (CNMs) are 2D materials made by crosslinking of self-assembled monolayers; this results in a film with single-molecule thickness. CNMs mainly comprise carbon, resulting in chemically-stable separating layers. Also, their molecular structure is tunable by synthesis with purpose-designed molecules. Recently, the Fellow was part of the team which created the first 1.2-nm thin CNM with a high density of sub-nm channels, providing ultrafast permeation of water while blocking the passage of most other molecules.This project will combine the Fellow’s expertise in the development of single-molecule-thick films with the host’s expertise in OSN and interfacial synthesis; it aims to design new nanomaterials for advancing molecular separation in organic liquids. The objectives of the project are to: 1) demonstrate the ability of freestanding CNMs for OSN; 2) explore the tunability of CNMs at a molecular level for improved selectivity; 3) create nanocomposite membranes comprising interfacially synthesized mesoporous films supporting CNM separating layers.This highly innovative and interdisciplinary research will promote the Fellow’s career prospects by widening her research perspectives, enriching her research experiences and expanding her network with European colleagues.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- IMPERIAL COLLEGE OF SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND MEDICINE · LondonCoordinatorUnited Kingdom
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union