Cross-linked composite proton conductive membranes

Using UV-curing technique the proton conductive polymer materials based on acrylic monomers: 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid (AMPS), acrylic acid (AA) and acrylonitrile (AN), cross-linked by varying amounts of N,N'-methylene(bis)acrylamide (MBA), and the hybrid polymer/inorganic membrane of the same content with addition of sol-gel system (SGS) based on 3-methacryloxypropyl trimethoxysilane (MAPTMS) and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) were synthesized. The obtained materials were characterized by analysis of thermal, mechanical and morphological properties. Proton conductivity and water uptake were found to depend on the level of cross-linking of the materials. The value of proton conductivity of the hybrid membrane was sufficiently high reaching 3.46 × 10-2 S cm-1.

Recent Advances in Catalysts and Membranes for MCH Dehydrogenation: A Mini Review

Methylcyclohexane (MCH), one of the liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs), offers a convenient way to store, transport, and supply hydrogen. Some features of MCH such as its liquid state at ambient temperature and pressure, large hydrogen storage capacity, its well-known catalytic endothermic dehydrogenation reaction and ease at which its dehydrogenated counterpart (toluene) can be hydrogenated back to MCH and make it one of the serious contenders for the development of hydrogen storage and transportation system of the future. In addition to advances on catalysts for MCH dehydrogenation and inorganic membrane for selective and efficient separation of hydrogen, there are increasing research interests on catalytic membrane reactors (CMR) that combine a catalyst and hydrogen separation membrane together in a compact system for improved efficiency because of the shift of the equilibrium dehydrogenation reaction forwarded by the continuous removal of hydrogen from the reaction mixture. Development of efficient CMRs can serve as an important step toward commercially viable hydrogen production systems. The recently demonstrated commercial MCH-TOL based hydrogen storage plant, international transportation network and compact hydrogen producing plants by Chiyoda and some other companies serves as initial successful steps toward the development of full-fledged operation of manufacturing, transportation and storage of zero carbon emission hydrogen in the future. There have been initiatives by industries in the development of compact on-board dehydrogenation plants to fuel hydrogen-powered locomotives. This review mainly focuses on recent advances in different technical aspects of catalytic dehydrogenation of MCH and some significant achievements in the commercial development of MCH-TOL based hydrogen storage, transportation and supply systems, along with the challenges and future prospects.

High Performance Hybrid Graphene Nano Filters as a Total dissolved solid remover

Graphene, a single-layer carbon sheet with its distinctive two-dimensional (2D) single-atomic-thick sp2 hybridized hexagonal packed lattice structure which is nearly friction less with high chemical inertness, and pliability which can be manufactured sustainably in great amounts with less expense, has shown many unique properties, Graphene has attracted tremendous research interest in recent years, owing to its exceptional properties. The scaled-up and reliable production of graphene derivatives, such as graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (GO), offers a wide range of possibilities to produce nano-filters containing graphene membrane which is capable to remove ninety percent of the heavy contaminants from different sources of water and to reduce the level of total dissolved solids, salinity, and neutralizes the pH level further inorganic membrane used in synergism with graphene oxide shows improved efficiency and reduction in cost of production of separation membranes. In this review, we demonstrated real world application of graphene, Fabricated with Several Metal Oxides in synergism to illustrate enhanced photocatalysis properties, Flexural strength and anti-fouling characteristics of the material in comparisons to conventional membrane, photocatalytic metal oxides nanoparticles such as Titania TiO2, Zirconia ZrO2, Alumina Al2O3, and Silica SiO2 functions in the presence of Multiple Spectrums of Light by absorbing photons and releasing Oxygen Radical which degrades harmful water pollutants into less harmful substances.

Catalytic Membrane Reactors: The Industrial Applications Perspective

Catalytic membrane reactors have been widely used in different production industries around the world. Applying a catalytic membrane reactor (CMR) reduces waste generation from a cleaner process perspective and reduces energy consumption in line with the process intensification strategy. A CMR combines a chemical or biochemical reaction with a membrane separation process in a single unit by improving the performance of the process in terms of conversion and selectivity. The core of the CMR is the membrane which can be polymeric or inorganic depending on the operating conditions of the catalytic process. Besides, the membrane can be inert or catalytically active. The number of studies devoted to applying CMR with higher membrane area per unit volume in multi-phase reactions remains very limited for both catalytic polymeric and inorganic membranes. The various bio-based catalytic membrane system is also used in a different commercial application. The opportunities and advantages offered by applying catalytic membrane reactors to multi-phase systems need to be further explored. In this review, the preparation and the application of inorganic membrane reactors in the different catalytic processes as water gas shift (WGS), Fisher Tropsch synthesis (FTS), selective CO oxidation (CO SeLox), and so on, have been discussed.

Latest Developments in Membrane (Bio)Reactors

The integration of membranes inside a catalytic reactor is an intensification strategy to combine separation and reaction steps in one single physical unit. In this case, a selective removal or addition of a reactant or product will occur, which can circumvent thermodynamic equilibrium and drive the system performance towards a higher product selectivity. In the case of an inorganic membrane reactor, a membrane separation is coupled with a reaction system (e.g., steam reforming, autothermal reforming, etc.), while in a membrane bioreactor a biological treatment is combined with a separation through the membranes. The objective of this article is to review the latest developments in membrane reactors in both inorganic and membrane bioreactors, followed by a report on new trends, applications, and future perspectives.