The disclosure relates to processes, related polyacid polymers, and related articles for functionalizing a porous membrane by contacting the membrane with a polyacid polymer at low pH to stably adsorb a polyacid layer on the membrane pore surface, in particular polyacid polymers including repeating units with a pendent metal-binding ligand or star polyacid polymers. The resulting functionalized membrane is characterized by a high density of free acid groups, resulting in a higher specific capacity for its intended application. The process allows functionalization of porous membranes in a very simple, one-step process, for example without a need to derivatize an adsorbed polyacid layer to impart metal-binding ligand functionality thereto. Such functional membranes may find multiple uses, including rapid, selective binding of proteins for their purification or immobilization.

The present invention relates to shaped bodies comprising a composition (Z1), wherein said composition comprises at least one polymer having an elongation at break of >30% and at least one porous metal-organic framework material, to processes for producing shaped bodies of this kind and to the use of a composition (Z1) comprising at least one polymer having an elongation at break of >30% and at least one porous metal-organic framework material for production of a film, membrane or laminate having a water vapor permeability according to DIN 53122 at 38 C./90% rel. humidity of greater than 1000 g/(m.sup.2*d), based on a film thickness of 10 m.

The present invention provides in one aspect inexpensive and scalable methods of fabricating porous membranes comprising vertically aligned carbon nanotubes.

A support is a porous ceramic support for supporting a zeolite membrane. The hydraulic conductivity of the support is less than or equal to 1.110.sup.3 m/s. In the support, the total content of alkali metal and alkaline earth metal in a surface part within 30 m from a surface in a depth direction perpendicular to the surface is less than or equal to 1% by weight.

Composite nanostructures having a crumpled graphene oxide shell and a nanoparticle selected from titanium dioxide, silver and magnetite within the shell are disclosed. The nanostructures may be incorporated into a filtration membrane suitable for purifying water for targeted separations and for human consumption.

Disclosed herein is a membrane comprising a bonding layer; and an activation layer disposed on the bonding layer and in contact with it; where the activation layer comprises catalyst nanoparticles that are operative to decompose impurities contained in an aqueous solution to generate gas bubbles that remove a sludge disposed on the membrane. Disclosed herein too is a method of purifying an aqueous solution comprising disposing in the aqueous solution, a membrane that comprises a bonding layer and an activation layer; where the activation layer comprises catalyst nanoparticles; partitioning the aqueous solution into a concentrate portion and a filtrate portion; where the activation layer contacts the concentrate portion; and decomposing impurities contained in the aqueous solution to generate gas bubbles that remove a sludge disposed on the membrane.

Membranes, methods of making the membranes, and methods of using the membranes are described herein. The membranes can comprise a support layer, and a selective polymer layer disposed on the support layer. In some cases, the support layer can comprise a gas permeable polymer and hydrophilic additive dispersed within the gas permeable polymer. In some cases, the selective polymer layer can comprise a selective polymer matrix and carbon nanotubes dispersed within the selective polymer matrix. The membranes can exhibit selective permeability to gases. As such, the membranes can be for the selective removal of carbon dioxide and/or hydrogen sulfide from hydrogen and/or nitrogen.

Photocatalytic materials with a composite photocatalyst of a metal oxide impregnated with elemental metal particles, can be embedded into a hydrophilic polymer having pores with diameters of less than 2 nm, to provide a useful water remediation and/or purification product. The metal oxide may be WO.sub.3, Ce.sub.2, Bi.sub.2O.sub.3, NiO, TiO.sub.2, and/or ZnO, and the elemental metal particles, impregnated or compounded into the metal oxide, may be Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Ag, Ce, Mn, Mo, V, Bi, Sn, W, Nb, Pd, and/or Pt. The photocatalytic materials may be easily removed and/or retrieved after use, and can effectively combat both chemical and biological contamination and/or fouling of water as well as the membranes composed of the photocatalytic material.

The present disclosure provides systems and methods for treatment of produced water that combine a separation technique using an inorganic membrane (Al.sub.2O.sub.3) with an adsorption process using activated carbon in the membrane. In one embodiment, a water tank includes an inlet and an outlet, and the membrane is in fluid communication with the inlet. The tank is configured to receive a spent water stream that includes a contaminant. In operation, the spent water stream is contacted with the membrane so as to strip at least a portion of the contaminant from the spent water stream.

The present invention provides a fluid separation membrane that can maintain separation performance for a long period of time. The present invention provides a fluid separation membrane including a separation layer including a dense layer, wherein 2 to 10,000 ppm of a total of a monocyclic or bicyclic aromatic compound being liquid or solid at 16 C. under atmospheric pressure and 10 to 250,000 ppm of water are adsorbed.