SGER: Nanoporous Membrane Reactor as Molecular Extruder

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Abstract - Lin - 0080761This research involves the development of a nanomembrane reactor as a molecular extruder for efficient production of chemicals. The reactor contains an inorganic membrane with catalytically active straight nanopores, and can be considered as a bundle of nano-sized reactor tubes. By adjusting the nanopore dimensions, selecting an appropriate active coating species, and optimizing the reaction conditions, the PI can manipulate the reaction mechanism or path for synthesis of molecules at high yield or with special properties, unattainable by the conventional technologies. The research is aimed at demonstrating the synthesis methodology of the straight-nanopore membranes and the technical feasibility of the membrane reactor concept incorporating them, for the production of polyethylene nanofibers.For this initial exploratory phase, alumina-silica membranes with straight pores of 3-5 nm diameter and 10-100 mm in length will be tested. They will be constructed by modifying straight Anopore alumina membranes by atomic layer chemical vapor deposition of silica. The internal pore surfaces of the nanopores will be modified by a metallocene catalyst. The reactor will be tested by using it to synthesize polyethylene nanofibers with polymer chains oriented in one direction.