IEC 69 |
| Stephen M.C. Ritchie, Qiang Luo, Tapan N. Shah, and J. Casey Goodwin. Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Alabama, Box 870203, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0203 |
| Polyethersulfone microfiltration membranes have been modified by in-situ cationic polymerization of polystyrene. Sulfonation of the added structures (in the pore spaces) provides adsorption sites for iron cations. Subsequent reduction of the immobilized metals creates zero-valent nanorods in the flow paths of the membrane. The nanorods are in intimate contact with the contaminated water, and thus reduction of chlorinated organics can occur with all transport processes by convection. Since the rods are nano-sized, all iron molecules are accessible and degradation reactions can occur rapidly and efficiently. In addition, oxidized iron is re-adsorbed in the material by the sulfonated polystyrene. Regeneration of the material is performed by permeation of a reducing agent. Formation of the material will be discussed and preliminary kinetic studies will be presented. This work is funded in part through a grant by the EPA-STAR Program. |
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Nanotechnology and the Environment
1:30 PM-5:25 PM, Monday, March 24, 2003 Convention Center -- Room 392, Oral
Division of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry |