MEMSUS - Towards sustainable membrane fabrication using biopolymers and non-toxic solvents (DCM.AD004.124)

Area tematica

Scienze chimiche e tecnologie dei materiali

Area progettuale

Struttura responsabile del progetto di ricerca

Istituto per la tecnologia delle membrane (ITM)

Responsabile di progetto

ALBERTO FIGOLI
Telefono: 0984492027
E-mail: a.figoli@itm.cnr.it

Abstract

The vast majority of polymer used to elaborate the membrane is petroleum based. Thus, from an environmental point of view, membrane fabrication cannot be considered as a sustainable process. In particular, large-scale use of fossil resources is responsible for the deterioration of environmental cleanliness due to emission of harmful and greenhouse gases (in particular CO2, CH4, N2O) thus impacting the Earth's climate. In addition, membrane preparation often involves the use of large volumes of very toxic solvents (such has NMP, DMF...) which severely limits the ability to work under safe conditions for human health and for the environment. Finally, at the end of their life, membranes are usually destroyed by incineration.
Considering these aspects, there is an emergency to move forward to the synthesis of membranes more respectful of the environment and human health. In this logic, the project focuses on the formation of a new type of membrane made of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA). In order to make the entire membrane preparation process completely sustainable, a series of new green and non-toxic solvents will be considered and tested for the solubilization of the PHA polymer.

Obiettivi

The main objective of this study is to combine the preparation of porous membranes with PHA and green solvents. In particular, non-solvent induced phase separation (NIPS) and vapour induced-phase separation (VIPS) represent the most widely applied techniques for porous membrane fabrication at industrial level.

Data inizio attività

01/01/2020

Parole chiave

membrane, green solvent, biopolymer

Ultimo aggiornamento: 10/12/2023