A method for fabrication of an hydrogen-permeable membrane, comprising forming an alloy of a target composition and structure from powders by mechanically alloying; and forming a membrane from the alloy of the target composition and structure.

Disclosed are membranes formed from self-assembling block copolymers, for example, a diblock copolymer of the formula (I): ##STR00001##
wherein R.sup.1R.sup.4, n, and m are as described herein, which find use in preparing nanoporous membranes. Embodiments of the membranes contain the block copolymer that self-assembles into a cylindrical morphology. Also disclosed is a method of preparing such membrane which involves spray coating a polymer solution containing the diblock copolymer to obtain a thin film, followed by annealing the thin film in a solvent vapor and/or soaking in a solvent or mixture of solvents to form a nanoporous membrane.

Electrically conductive membranes (ECMs) have been demonstrated in the literature as a promising tool to enhance the performance of membrane-based water/wastewater treatment technologies. Membrane surface functionalization with active conductive materials is a direct and effective approach to obtain membranes with electrically conductive properties. However, a general strategy that could be utilized to fabricate ECMs using any types of commercial membrane (e.g., reverse osmosis, nanofiltration, ultrafiltration, and microfiltration) as a support or any type of conductive material as active material is not available yet. To address this need, the subject matter described herein is a facile and low-cost polyethyleneimine/glutaraldehayde-based method for synthesis of electrically conductive membranes starting from a broad range of commercial membranes (i.e., SWC4+, ESPA3, NF 270, PSf 20 KDa, and 0.1 m PVDF membranes) by using graphite or other conductive materials, including but not limited to, carbon nanotubes, activated charcoal, reduced graphene oxide, and silver nanoparticles.

A method of preparing a nanocomposite membrane for water filtration is disclosed herein. The method comprising spraying a nanomaterial substantially over a surface of at least one polymer sheet to form a sprayed polymer sheet. The at least one sprayed polymer sheet is subjected to a heat treatment and dried thereafter. The method further comprises layering the at least one dried sprayed polymer sheet together to form at least one nanocomposite membrane.

A large-scale fabrication technique for PIM-1 asymmetric membranes doped with low-molecular-weight polyethylene glycol for gas separation. Based on the membrane fabrication technique of dry/wet phase inversion, firstly, the coagulation process of casting solution is regulated by low-molecular-weight polyethylene glycol to thin the dense functional layer, to improve the hydrophilicity of the membrane structure, and to form mass transfer channels for the diffusion of polyethylene glycol into the dense functional layer. Then, directional migration and enrichment of polyethylene glycol are realized through capillary action induced by directional water evaporation for large-scale fabrication of PIM-1 asymmetric membranes doped with low-molecular-weight polyethylene glycol in the dense functional layer for gas separation, and thereafter high permeation ability and high selectivity are achieved simultaneously.

A support nanofunctionalised with photocatalytic nanoparticles made of polymeric material, preferably transparent or translucid, characterised by a nanoroughness, measured by means of an electron microscope, comprised between 10 and 150 nm and a macroroughness, measured by means of an electron microscope, comprised between 100 and 600 m, wherein said nano and macro-roughness are diffused internally and/or superficially. A process for preparing the nanofunctionalised support is also described. Further, an use of the nanofunctionalised support as a photocatalyst activated by UV and/or visible light, for the decontamination of a fluid, preferably air and/or water, from organic contaminants, bacteria, moulds, odours and a combination thereof is described. Finally, a filtration device comprising at least one nanofunctionalised support of the invention associated with at least one source of UV and/or visible light configured to irradiate said at least one nanofunctionalised support is described.

Hybrid membranes based on crystalline titanium dioxide containing fluorine atoms within the crystalline lattice comprising atoms of titanium and oxygen are described; these hybrid membranes are particularly suitable for the production of fuel cells and electrolysers. A process for producing the aforesaid hybrid membranes is also described.

Methods for manufacturing an isotopic filtration module and methods for filtering water according to its isotopic forms. In some implementations, graphene oxide flakes may be dispersed in an aqueous medium to form a graphene oxide solution. The graphene oxide solution may be applied to a substrate to form a laminated graphene oxide membrane comprising a plurality of graphene oxide sheets coupled together in a layered, interlocking structure.

A thin film composite membrane includes an active layer on a support membrane, wherein the active layer includes at least two chemically distinct first and second crosslinked polyamide film sub-layers. The first film sub-layer includes a polyamide unit; and the second film sub-layer includes a copolyamide with two chemically distinct polyamide units. The first film sub-layer is closer to the support than is the second film sub-layer.

Composite membranes, methods or processes for producing composite membranes, and systems utilizing composite membranes are generally described. In some examples, a composite membrane includes a porous halogenated polymer and a conductive polymer coupled to the porous halogenated polymer. In some examples, a process for producing a composite membrane includes coupling a conductive polymer and a porous halogenated polymer.