Sojoud Alyousef- MSc student in Chemical Engineering
Research Project Summary
To meet the growing need for clean drinking water, it's important to develop new water sources and protect existing ones. Membranes made from polymers are cost-effective and efficient. However, membranes are prone to contamination due to their hydrophobic surface, which reduces water flux and membrane life. This study aims to enhance the properties of polymeric membranes using nanoparticles. Nanoparticles (NPs) will be incorporated into the polymeric membranes using two approaches: through the phase inversion method to produce mixed matrix membranes and by modifying the membrane surface with NPs using the spin coating method to produce spin-coated membranes. The influence of NPs on the properties of the membrane will be investigated, and the membrane performance will be assessed using the two approaches.
Nour Alnairat- MSc student in Chemistry
{olymer Nanocomposite PVDF membranes were prepared using the phase inversion method with an anti-biofouling effect using silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). AgNPs were prepared using wild plant extract, Paronychia Argentea, which was a reducing and stabilizing agent. The membranes were characterized by attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The performance of the membrane was evaluated using a flux experiment approach, in addition to anti-bacterial inhibition testing.
Publication:
https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13213683
Dina Zohdi Alfagawi- MSc atudent in Chemistry
Research Project Summary:
This work aims to improve the properties of cellulose acetate (CA) by combining it with two types of nanoclay: Bentonite and Halloysite nanotubes. Polymer nanocomposites were prepared in the form of fibers using an electrospinning technique to improve their mechanical and thermal properties and examine the effect of nanoclay shape on the properties of the nanocomposites. Different nanoclay contents were used, and the effect of each type of clay and its concentration (1 wt.%, 3 wt.%, 5 wt.%) on the properties of cellulose acetate was studied using structural, thermal, and mechanical characterizations.
Based on the results, both nanoclays are recommended for use in cases where an application that needs thermally stable CA is required, such as flame retardant products or thermal insulations. However, if an application of CA requires high-stress tolerance, such as membranes, then halloysite nanoclay is recommended. On the other hand, if a high degree of elongation is needed for the CA product, such as food packaging (cling films), then high concentration of bentonite clay or 1 wt.% of halloysite clay is recommended.