(522g) Multifunctional to Bioinspired Nanostructured Membranes

The synthesis and applications of responsive, multifunctional materials and membranes for environmental and bio-related use requires a high level of control of both the characteristics of the base polymeric or inorganic support layer, as well as, its corresponding surface properties. The special features for membrane processes that make them attractive for industrial applications are their compactness, ease of fabrication, operation, and modular design. Although membrane processes such as, Reverse Osmosis, Nanofiltration, Ultrafiltration, and Microfiltration have provided many successful applications ranging from high quality water production to material recovery, but incorporation of nanostructured aspects with tunable properties (learning from life sciences, such as enzymes, and porins)) in membranes has added immense value in the area of separations, reactions, water applications, and green synthesis. The use of macromolecules, such as, poly-acrylic acid (PAA), poly-glutamic acid (PLGA) provide pH responsive behavior through helix-coil transitions, whereas poly-N-isopropylacrylamide (pNIPAAm) provides temperature responsive behavior. Further, one can synthesize catalytic metal nanoparticles in the functionalized membrane for water remediation applications. The presentation will include bio-inspired functionalized membranes with tunable and responsive properties, layer-by layer assembly for enzyme catalysis, synthesis of metal nanoparticles and metal films in membranes, and industry related applications. Special acknowledgement goes to his recent students (A. Aher, H. Wan, A. Saad, S. Islam, M. Detisch). In addition to various industrial collaborators, NIH-NIEHS-SRP and NSF-EAGER, and NSF-RAPID program provided high level financial support.