Recent advances in application of the graphene-based membrane for water purification

Graphene is an atomic layer thick carbon-based material with unique two-dimensional architecture and extraordinary physiochemical, optical, electrical, and mechanical properties. Graphene and its derivatives show significant promises for the development of nanoporous ultrathin filtration membranes capable of molecular separation properties. Graphene-based nanofiltration membranes featuring distinct laminar structures can offer various novel mass-transport phenomena for purifying water, energy storage and separation, gas separation, and proton conductors. The latest developments in water purification techniques through graphene-based membranes including engineering, design, and fabrication of diverse graphene, graphene-oxide, and graphene-composite membranes are provided here in relation to their application paradigm for purifying water. The critical views on pollutant removal mechanisms for water purification along with optimization measures are specially highlighted. In addition, the challenges, shortcomings, and future prospects are pointed out. The green and large-scale synthesis technology of graphene coupling with advanced membrane fabrication techniques can promote these state-of-the-art nanofiltration membranes for a wide range of applications.     

Optical,chemical and structural modification of oxygen irradiated PET

Membranes of polyethylene terephthalate, irradiated by O⁶⁺ ions at various fluences were characterized by UV/VIS, FTIR, Micro-Raman spectroscopy’s, X-ray diffraction and Atomic force microscopy. UV/VIS measurements indicate shifting of the absorption edge from ultraviolet towards visible regions indicating carbonization while FTIR measurement shows the material degradation. The intensities of Raman band of ion irradiated polymer increases with the ion fluence. XRD results show decrease and shift in main peak of irradiated PET. Surface roughness is found to decrease with increasing ion fluence.     

Synthesis and characterization of terbium doped TiO2 nanoparticles and their use as recyclable and reusable heterogeneous catalyst for efficient and environmentally sustainable synthesis of spiroannulated indolo[3,2-c]quinolines- mimetic scaffolds of isocryptolepine

An efficient and environmentally sustainable domino protocol has been presented for the synthesis of structurally diverse spiroannulated indolo[3,2-c]quinolines involving three component sequential reaction of phenylhydrazine, o-aminoacetophenone and cyclic ketones using nanostructured terbium doped TiO₂ as recyclable and reusable heterogeneous catalyst. The nanostructured catalyst was synthesized successfully and characterized by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), EDX and Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR). The substitution of Ti⁺⁴ with Tb⁺³ and the formation of Ti-O-Tb bonds as a result of doping of Terbium with TiO₂ NPs increases the catalytic efficiency and facilitates the reaction to provide the products in excellent yields. The present protocol with special features; operational simplicity, atom-economy, mild reaction conditions, environmental sustainability and high synthetic efficiency with recyclability and reusability of catalyst has been reported for the first time to synthesize spiroannulated indoloquinolines and expecting to provide the library of promising new leads in drug discovery research.     

Ion transport through track etched polypropylene membrane

The transport properties through track etched polypropylene (PP) of 25 μm have been examined. The asymmetric pores in PP have been prepared by track etching technique. The PP membrane was exposed by α-source (₉₅Am²⁴¹). Irradiated PP membrane placed into an electrolyte cell and etched from one side while stopping medium protected other side. The etching is controlled by monitoring the electric current and to be stopped shortly after the breakthrough, which, is observed as a sudden increase in current, indicating that the two chambers of cell are connected through the pores. Asymmetric etching condition allows the preparation of charged pores of conical shape. The resulting conical pores rectify ion current. The voltage current characteristics is strongly non-linear, comparable to that of an electrical diode.     

Conjugate polymer-based membranes for gas separation applications: current status and future prospects

Conjugate polymers provide the possibility of exploiting both the chemical and physical attributes of the polymers for membrane-based gas separation. The presence of delocalized π electrons provides high chain stiffness with low packing density, thus making the membrane a rigid structure that favors facilitated transport. Historically, the polymeric membranes were constrained by the tradeoff relationship between gas permeability and gas selectivity. So, different methods were investigated to prepare the membranes that can overcome the limitation. In recent years, electroconductive polymeric membranes have gained attention with their enhanced transportation properties combining the separation behavior depending on both molecular size discrimination as well as the facilitated transport. They offer better selectivity toward polar gases such as CO₂ because of the increased solubility. This review is aimed to provide a literature survey on gas separation using conjugate polymers such as polyaniline, polypyrrole, and some derivatives of polythiophenes. It contains various methods used by different researchers to enhance the gas separation properties of the membranes with improved mechanical and thermal stability such as changing the morphology and membrane preparation methods. In addition, it provides the pros and cons of various factors affecting the conjugate polymer membrane performance. The major challenges and future work that can be done in improving the transportation properties through the membrane to achieve viable membranes are also discussed so that they can be used for commercial and practical applications in the future.