SusChEM: Photothermally-Enabled Multifunctional Membranes for Improved Foulant Resistance during Reverse Osmosis

不断增长的人口对淡水的需求推动了对用于海水淡化和水再利用项目的先进膜技术的研究。这些膜的寿命与其抗污染能力密切相关。在这项工作中，PI将开发两种新的多功能膜，它们有可能最大限度地减少污染，从而延长膜的使用寿命。所提出的具有光热活性的纳米结构反渗透膜具有很高的创新性，具有潜在的变革性，在水处理方面非常有前景。将首次测试金(Au)纳米星--以及化学剥离的--MoS2光热活性膜的杀菌效果以及抗无机和有机污染性能。特别是，这项工作调查了廉价和富含地球的MoS2作为昂贵材料的替代品以实现水的可持续发展的未开发潜力。由于化学剥离MoS2是一种非常有前途的2D光学和电子材料，有关水的化学剥离MoS2界面反应的新信息也将有助于设计更安全和更可持续的纳米材料。此外，拟议的研究将阐明金(Au)纳米星的原位成核和生长及其在膜上的光热效应背后的科学原理。它将定义在高盐溶液中的衬底和纳米结构的表面化学(即，它们的化学性质、表面电荷、亲水性和形态)。这些经验教训也可以促进我们对其他膜系统复杂的污染行为的理解。此外，溶液中和衬底表面纳米结构的广泛的纳米尺度表征技术可以导致尺寸和形状可控的纳米材料的新的合成路线。创造独特的纳米结构，可以通过光激活来最大限度地发挥杀菌功能，是应对重大全球挑战的一种创新和变革性的方法。拟议的教学和推广计划将为中学生、本科生和研究生提供教育和研究机会。

1604542JunFresh water demands of growing populations are driving the search for advanced membrane technologies for desalination and water reuse projects. The longevity of these membranes is strongly related to their resistance to fouling. In this work, the PIs will develop two new multifunctional membranes which have the potential to minimize fouling and, therefore, extend the lifetime of the membranes.The proposed photothermally-active nanostructure-enabled reverse osmosis membranes are highly innovative, potentially transformative, and, quite promising for water treatment. For the first time, gold (Au) nanostars- and chemically exfoliated-MoS2-enabled photothermally-active membranes will be tested for their bactericidal efficacy as well as their inorganic and organic fouling resistance. In particular, this work investigates the unexplored potential of inexpensive and earth-abundant MoS2 as a replacement for expensive materials to achieve water sustainability. Because chemically exfoliated-MoS2 is a highly promising 2D optical and electronic material, new information about water chemically exfoliated-MoS2 interfacial reactions will also help design safer and more sustainable nanomaterials. Furthermore, the proposed research will elucidate scientific principles underlying the in situ nucleation and growth of gold (Au) nanostars and their photothermal effects on membranes. It will define the substrates and nanostructures surface chemistry (i.e., their chemical nature, surface charge, hydrophilicity, and morphology) in highly saline solutions. These lessons can also advance our understanding of the complex fouling behavior of other membrane systems. In addition, the wide array of nanoscale characterization techniques for nanostructures in solution and on substrate surfaces can lead to novel synthetic routes for size- and shape-controlled nanomaterials. Creating unique nanostructures that can be light-activated to maximize bactericidal functionality is an innovative and transformative approach towards addressing a major global challenge. The proposed teaching and outreach plan will provide educational and research opportunities for middle school, undergraduate, and graduate students.