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Electron tomography reveals new insights on polymer membranes

ORAL

Abstract

Membrane technology has relied on intricate control of properties through systematic perturbations to polymer membrane chemistries and processing, yet many fundamental questions remain on the mechanisms that govern water transport and separations. We have leveraged advances in multi-modal electron microscopy to generate new insights on membrane structure and function. For example, we have combined the focused ion beam with scanning electron microscopy through serial sectioning to reconstruct a 3D representation of ultrafiltration membranes using for virus removal from biopharmaceutical streams. In addition, we have combined energy-filtered transmission electron microscopy with electron tomography from scanning transmission electron microscopy images to map the variation in density of polyamide films used in reverse osmosis membranes. Quantitative analyses of imaging products are key to extract mechanistic details that govern water transport and separations.

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Publication: "FIB-SEM tomography reveals the nanoscale 3D morphology of virus filters", Brickey, K.P.; Zydney, A.L.; Gomez, E.D., Jounral of Membrane Science, 2021, 640, 119766. <br>"Nanoscale control of internal inhomogeneity enhances water transport in desalination membranes", Culp, T.E.; Khara, B.; Brickey, K.P.; Geitner, M.; Zimudzi, T.J.; Wilbur, J.D.; Jons, S.; Roy, A.; Paul, M.; Ganapathysubramanian, B.; Zydney, A.L.; Kumar, M.; Gomez, E.D., Science, 2021, 371 (6524), 72-75. <br>"Electron tomography reveals details of the internal microstructure of desalination membranes", Culp, T.E.; Shen, Y.X.; Geitner, M.; Paul, M.; Roy, A.; Behr, M.J.; Rosenberg, S.; Gu, J.; Kumar, M.; Gomez, E.D., Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2018, 115 (35), 8694-8699.

Presenters

  • Enrique D Gomez

    Pennsylvania State University, Department of Chemical Engineering, Department of Materials Science and Engineering & Materials Research Institute, The Pennsylvania State University, Department of Chemical Engineering, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and Materials Research Institute, The Pennsylvania State University

Authors

  • Enrique D Gomez

    Pennsylvania State University, Department of Chemical Engineering, Department of Materials Science and Engineering & Materials Research Institute, The Pennsylvania State University, Department of Chemical Engineering, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and Materials Research Institute, The Pennsylvania State University