Mixed Matrix Materials with Hierarchical Fillers As a Conceptual Framework for the Design of Multifunctional Nanocomposite Membranes

摘要

Phase inversion of polymer casting mixtures filled with hierarchical functional nanostructures is proposed as a synthetic route for the design of multifunctional membranes. The structure and reactivity/function of such membranes can be independently controlled by regulating the relative content of components representing different levels in the nanofiller hierarchy (Fig. 1). In a systematic membrane synthesis study, functional nanocomposite membranes with embedded hierarchical nanostructures were prepared using a modified version of a phase inversion method. Employed as fillers, exfoliated graphene nanoplatelets (xGnPs) decorated by nanogold were added to the polymer-solvent-porogen (polysulfone-NMP-PEG) mixture prior to casting.