Graphene-based membranes

Completed

Not Energy Related
Other Power and Storage Technologies(Energy storage)
Hydrogen and Fuel Cells(Fuel Cells)
Fossil Fuels: Oil Gas and Coal(CO2 Capture and Storage, CO2 capture/separation)

Basic and strategic applied research

PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Chemistry)
PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Metallurgy and Materials)
PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Computer Science and Informatics)

Not Cross-cutting

Dr PM Budd
Chemistry
University of Manchester

Standard

EPSRC

01 July 2013

30 June 2018

60 months

£2,839,350

Materials sciences

North West

Manufacturing : Manufacturing

Dr PM Budd, Chemistry, University of Manchester

Dr P Carbone, Chemical Engineering and Analytical Science, University of Manchester
Dr C Casiraghi, Chemistry, University of Manchester
Dr BD Grieve, Electrical & Electronic Engineering, University of Manchester
Dr SJ Haigh, Materials, University of Manchester
Dr S Holmes, Chemical Engineering and Analytical Science, University of Manchester
Dr AP Jivkov, Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Manchester
Dr IA Kinloch, Materials, University of Manchester
Professor T Roberts, Engineering,Chemical and Petroleum, University of Calgary, Canada
Dr SLM Schroeder, Chemical Engineering and Analytical Science, University of Manchester
Dr FR Siperstein, Chemical Engineering and Analytical Science, University of Manchester
Dr A Vijayaraghavan, Computer Science, University of Manchester

Project Contact, National Research Council (CNR), Italy
Project Contact, Biocleave Limited
Project Contact, Crown Packaging Plc
Project Contact, Syngenta
Project Contact, ITM Power PLC
Project Contact, IF Sensing Ltd
Project Contact, Pervatech B.V., The Netherlands
Project Contact, C-Tech Innovation Limited
Project Contact, DSTL - Defence Science and Technology Laboratory
Project Contact, Akzo Nobel
Project Contact, ACAL Energy Ltd

Membranes containing functionalized or pristine graphene offer remarkable potential for selective uptake and transport of molecular or ionic species. For example, research at the University of Manchester (UoM) has shown that graphene oxide (GO) laminate membranes exhibit unimpeded water permeation while being impermeable to organic liquids, vapours and gases. Building on UoM expertise in graphene and novel membrane materials, a range of membranes will be developed for application in the areas of:(1) Molecular separations. Cost-effective and energy-efficient processes for separation of liquid (e.g. recovery of bioalcohols) or gaseous (e.g. CO2 capture from flue gas) mixtures.(2) Selective barriers. In defence, protection from toxic agents for personnel and installations. In food packaging, maintaining food quality.(3) Ionic conductors. Better and more economic membranes for fuel cells and other electrochemical applications.(4) Sensors. Sensitization layers in photonic sensors for disease detection (e.g., renal disease, diabetes) and biomimetic membranes in electronic sensors for detecting the action of agricultural pests. The research programme is driven by the engineering requirements for economic processing into membranes on a variety of substrates, including flat-sheet, tubular, hollow-fibre and monolith supports. Filtration, casting, dip-coating and spray-coating methods will be applied and scaled-up for deposition from aqueous or organic dispersions. Chemical vapour deposition will be used where necessary. Polymer/graphene mixed matrix membranes will also be prepared, utilising a range of high performance membrane polymers invented at UoM (polymers of intrinsic microporosity, PIMs). Membranes will be fully characterized using state-of-the-art techniques, including Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and high resolution transmission electron microscopy, and relationships will be established between structure at the nano-scale and performance under conditions of use. Computer simulation methods will be established to provide a fundamental insight into the formation, structure and performance of graphene-based membranes, and to guide membrane development for specific applications. Company partners will contribute to the management of the project and will assist in assessing membrane performance in identified application areas. The most promising materials and applications will be selected for intensive development in the final two years of the five year programme. Intellectual property arising from the programme will be exploited as appropriate through UoM's technology transfer company and with suitable partners

16/08/13