Ultrafiltration reactors based on polymeric or ceramic membranes were shown to be suitable catalytic systems for fast enzymatic saccharification of cellulose, allowing the full recovery and reuse of enzymes. By pre-treating cellulose with the IL 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride, the suitability of this substrate for enzymatic saccharification in a reactor based on polymeric ultrafiltration ...

We report the synthesis and thermoelectric characterization of composite nanocrystals composed of a tellurium core functionalized with the conducting polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS). Solution processed nanocrystal films electronically out perform both PEDOT:PSS and unfunctionalized Te nanorods while retaining a polymeric thermal conductivity, resultin...

In relation to some inorganic membranes, polymeric membranes have relatively low separation performance. However, the processing flexibility and low cost of polymers still make them highly attractive for many industrial separation applications. Polymer–inorganic hybrid membranes constitute an emerging research field and have been recently developed to improve the separation properties of polyme...

In production of electricity from coal, integrated gasification combined cycle plants typically operate with conventional packed bed reactors for the water-gas shift reaction, and a Selexol process for carbon dioxide removal. Implementation of membrane reactors in place of these two process units provides advantages such as increased carbon monoxide conversion, facilitated CO2 removal/sequestra...

Rhodium and platinum nanoparticles were supported in polymeric membranes with 10, 20 and 40 μm thickness. The polymeric membranes were prepared combining cellulose acetate and the ionic liquid (IL) 1-n-butyl3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl)imide (BMI.(NTf) 2 . The presence of metal nanoparticles induced an increase in the polymeric membrane surface areas. The increase of the IL...

A novel concept for the use of an immiscible and non-meltable polymer, such as sodium polystyrene sulfonate (PSSNa), in order to prepare polyethylene non-woven breathable membranes is described. Membranes were fabricated by melt compounding of properly functionalized PE (P(E-co-AA)) and PSSNa (P(SSNa-co-GMA)) copolymers in the presence of water soluble polyethylene glycol (PEG). The inability o...

A literature survey was performed to evaluate the state-of-the-art membrane systems for CO2/CH4 separation which is critical in the natural gas industry. The systems that were reviewed included zeolite, carbon, polymeric, mixed matrix, amorphous silica, and supported ionic liquid membranes. Supported ionic liquid CO2/CH4 selective membranes were synthesized in our laboratory by applying room te...

Separation and capture of carbon dioxide (CO2) has become a very hot topic discussion recently. The increasing amount in the environment makes environmental pollution significant. Membrane technology is one alternative separation processes that are increasingly demand, because membrane provides excellent advantages terms energy requirements used, capital investment invested, ease operating equi...

The immobilization of biological molecules onto polymeric membranes to produce biofunctional membranes is used for selective catalysis, separation, analysis, and artificial organs. Normally, random immobilization of enzymes onto polymeric membranes leads to dramatic reduction in activity due to chemical reactions involved in enzyme immobilization, multiple-point binding, etc., and the extent of...