CAREER: Aligned Carbon Nanotube Composite Array as Permeable Membrane for Selective Chemical Separations and Sensing

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AbstractProposal Title: CAREER: Aligned Carbon Nanotube Composite Arrays as Permeable Membranes for Selective Chemical Separations and SensingProposal Number: CTS-0348544Principal Investigator: Bruce HindsInstitution: University of KentuckyThis project is aimed at the development of highly selective affinity membranes basedon aligned carbon nanotubes embedded in a polymer film. This concept could lead tothe development of membranes with enhanced selectivity for numerous applications.The growth of oriented carbon nanotubes by thermal CVD and functionalization of thecarbon nanotube tips with carboxylic acid groups have been demonstrated. Thecarboxylic acid groups at the ends of the carbon nanotubes can be functionalized,allowing for high selectivity in an affinity membrane. Measurements of transportproperties of nitrogen gas and aqueous ionic species through polymer-coated carbonnanotube structures have been performed; these measurements demonstrated themolecular sieving character of the membranes. In terms of the broader impacts, theeducational program will include the development of new courses and laboratoriesaimed at introducing nanotechnology to undergraduates. Success in this research effortwill enable a new class of well controlled nanoscale pore structures for selectivechemical separations, sensors, drug delivery, and environmental remediation.