NIRT: Functionalization of alloy metal nanoparticles for enhanced transport and catalysis in membranes

CBET-0708779B。在这项NIRT提案中，德克萨斯大学的研究人员(PI)将探索和开发新的纳米复合膜，其基础是含有一系列新的活性纳米颗粒(NPs)的聚合物，这些聚合物可以协同增强膜的气体分离和催化能力。智能优势集中在制备以前无法合成的定制NPs，将它们分散到聚合物中，并表征这些新型颗粒对纳米复合材料中气体分子的渗透、传输和催化反应的影响。PI采用了理论和实验的协同结合：1)发展了描述合金NP表面分子结合和解离的理论和数值模型，以指导合适的合金材料的选择；2)在基质中设计单体和聚合物“挂钩”，以帮助NP分散，从而提高膜的分离和催化性能。该项目的一个主要特点是了解NP表面上单体和聚合物分子的构象以及这些结构是如何组装成膜的。该项目的更广泛影响包括一系列有益于社会的预期结果。这项研究将整合来自德克萨斯聋人学校的K-12硕士科学和数学教师和学生。该项目与UTeach合作，这是一个暑期科学和数学教育硕士项目，旨在培养下一代首席教师领袖，将产生一批作为高素质内容和教学专家返回课堂和学区的个人。这项活动具有很大的潜在影响，因为它针对的是K-12科学教育的未来领导者和舆论制造者。第二个独特的项目将每年将德克萨斯聋人学校的高中生带到德克萨斯大学的实验室进行为期4-6周的暑期研究体验。TSD渴望参与其中；聋人学生在外展计划中经常被忽视。他们将提供现场ASL翻译和其他支持，以确保成功的体验。最后，PI将通过在奥斯汀儿童博物馆的科普周日上的演讲，接触到来自各种背景的家庭和儿童。这些周日下午的免费项目将复杂的概念转化为实践活动，使所有人都能接触到科学和工程。纳米结构膜的一般应用包括分离不同的气体分子，以及通过催化反应改变物种的化学性质。我们将研究两个关键的应用：烯烃和烷烃的分离，以及通过消除污染物CO来净化氢气。全球烯烃-烷烃分离处理乙烯和丙烯的年产量超过1600亿公斤，美国的氢气产量约为10亿公斤/年。如果纳米复合膜单独降低这些应用的能源成本，PI预计将显著节省能源。由于PI开发的科学将广泛适用于其他分离和催化反应，因此其好处将是复合的。该项目主要通过纳米复合膜的多尺度特性和所需纳米颗粒制造工艺的放大来解决分级纳米制造的NIRT主题，其次是通过德克萨斯大学的纳米结构催化剂和具有分子分辨率的新型分离系统来解决主题活性纳米结构。

CBET-0708779B. Freeman, U of Texas AustinIn this NIRT proposal, the University of Texas researchers (PIs) will explore and develop new nano-composite membranes, based on polymers containing a new family of active nano-particles (NPs) that synergistically enhance the membrane's gas separation and catalytic capabilities.The intellectual merit focuses on preparation of previously synthetically inaccessible, tailor-made NPs, dispersing them into polymers and characterizing the influence of these novel particles on permeation, transport, and catalytic reaction of gas molecules in the nanocomposites. The PIs employ a synergistic combination of both theoretical and experimental components: 1) developing the theory and numerical models describing molecular binding and dissociation on alloy NP surfaces to guide the selection of suitable alloy materials, and 2) designing monomer and polymer "hooks" into the matrices to assist in NP dispersion, thereby increasing the membrane's separation and catalytic properties. A key feature of the project is understanding the conformation of monomer and polymer molecules on the NP surface and how the structures are assembled into membranes.The broader impacts of the project encompass a wide range of anticipated outcomes that benefit society. The research will integrate Master K-12 science and math teachers and students from the Texas School for the Deaf. The project in cooperation with UTEACH, a summer MA in Science and Mathematics Education program designed to produce the next generation of Master Teacher leaders, will yield cohorts of individuals who return to their classrooms and districts as highly qualified content and instructional specialists. This activity has great potential impact because it targets the future leaders and opinion makers in K-12 science education. A second unique program will bring high school students from the Texas School for the Deaf into the University of Texas labs each year for a 4-6 week summer research experience. TSD is eager to be involved; deaf students are frequently ignored in outreach programs. They will provide an on-site ASL translator and other support to ensure a successful experience. Finally, the PIs will reach families and children from all backgrounds through presentations at the popular Science Sundays at the Austin Children's Museum. These no-cost Sunday afternoon programs translate sophisticated concepts into hands-on activities that make science and engineering accessible to all.General applications of nano-structured membranes include separating different gas molecules and chemically changing specie using a catalytic reaction. We will investigate two key applications: olefin-paraffin separation, and the purification of H2 gas by elimination of CO, a contaminant. Olefin-paraffin separations process more than 160 billion kg/yr of ethylene and propylene worldwide, and H2 production in the U.S. is about 1 billion kg/yr. The PIs project significant energy savings if nano-composite membranes reduce the energy costs of these applications alone. Because the science the PIs develop will be broadly applicable to other separations and catalytic reactions, the benefit will be compounded. The project primarily addresses the NIRT theme of Hierarchical Nano-manufacturing through the multiscale nature of the nano-composite membranes and the scale up of the required nano-particle manufacturing processes, and secondarily the theme Active Nanostructures through the University of Texas nano-structured catalysts and novel separation systems with molecular resolution.