NIRT: Metal Ion Complexation by Dendritic Nanoscale Ligands: Fundamental Investigations and Applications to Water Purification

建议标题：NIRT：树枝状纳米级配体对金属离子的络合作用：基础研究及其在水净化中的应用建议编号：CTS-0506951首席研究员：马马杜迪亚洛研究所：霍华德大学本建议是对NSF 04-043类纳米科学与工程倡议的响应。纳米级配体(如树枝状大分子)与金属离子结合的基本机制将通过以下技术的组合来阐明：树枝状大分子的合成和表征、质子和金属离子结合的实验室测量、光谱测量和分析以及多尺度模拟。除了推进纳米级配位体络合金属离子的基础科学外，这项研究还可以为有意使用树枝状大分子作为工业分离的高容量螯合剂和用于合成具有电、磁、光和催化活性的金属纳米结构的模板的科学家和工程师提供洞察力和指导。本项目将重点介绍两个净水平台：树枝状大分子强化过滤系统和树枝状大分子处理单元。树枝状大分子增强型超滤(DEUF)工艺将水溶性功能化树枝状聚合物与成熟的超滤净水技术相结合。该项目的一个关键目标是优化DEUF以从水处理和海水淡化厂的膜浓缩液中回收金属离子，从而为美国的自来水公司提供更有效和更具成本效益的方法来处理盐水处理问题。该项目的另一个目标是探索将铁-树枝状大分子络合物用作新一代膜基净水反应器的功能材料。就更广泛的影响而言，该项目可能为水务行业提供一种多功能技术，用于净化被氧化还原活性金属离子(如铬)污染的水。同样，开发基于树枝状大分子的装置，选择性地去除水中的铜和铅，将为市政当局提供处理输水管溶解产生的污染物的新方法。该项目还将为霍华德大学、加州大学伯克利分校和加州理工学院的博士后、研究生和本科生提供跨学科研究的培训机会。

AbstractProposal Title: NIRT: Metal Ion Complexation by Dendritic Nanoscale Ligands: Fundamental Investigations and Applications to Water PurificationProposal Number: CTS-0506951Principal Investigator: Mamadou DialloInstitution: Howard UniversityThis proposal was received in response to Nanoscale Science and Engineering initiative, NSF 04-043, category NIRT. The fundamental mechanisms by which nanoscale ligandssuch as dendrimers bind metal ions will be elucidated through a combination of techniques: dendrimer synthesis and characterization, bench scale measurements of proton and metal ion binding, spectroscopic measurements and analysis, and multiscale modeling. In addition to advancing the fundamental science of metal ion chelation by nanoscale ligands, this research could provide insight and guidance to scientists and engineers interested in the use of dendrimers as high capacity chelating agents for industrial separations and templates for the synthesis of metal-bearing nanostructures with electronic, magnetic, optical, and catalytic activity. Two water purification platforms will be emphasized in this project: dendrimer-enhanced filtration systems and dendrimer-based treatment units. The dendrimer enhanced ultrafiltration (DEUF) process combines water-soluble functionalized dendritic polymers with the well-established water purification technology of ultrafiltration. A key objective of this project is to optimize DEUF for the recovery of metal ions from the membrane concentrates of water treatment and desalination plants, thus providing water utilities in the US with more efficient and cost-effective means of treating the problem of brine disposal. Another goal of this project is to explore the use of iron-dendrimer complexes as functional materials for a new generation of membrane-based reactors for water purification. In terms of the broader impacts, this project could provide the water industry with a versatile technology for purifying water contaminated by redox active metal ions such chromium. Similarly, the development of dendrimer-based units that selectively remove copper and lead from water would provide municipalities with novel means of treating contaminants resulting from the dissolution of water delivery pipes. This project will also provide training opportunities in interdisciplinary research for postdoctoral, graduate and undergraduate students at Howard University, the University of California at Berkeley, and the California Institute of Technology.