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Nanostructured Membranes for Green Synthesis of Nanoparticles and Enzyme Catalysis
Citation:
VARMA, R. S. Nanostructured Membranes for Green Synthesis of Nanoparticles and Enzyme Catalysis. Presented at the 241st American Chemical Society National Meeting, Industrial Engineering Chemistry Session, Anaheim, CA, March 27 - 31, 2011.
Impact/Purpose:
To inform EPA
Description:
Macroporous membranes functionalized with ionizable macromolecules provide promising applications in toxic metal capture at high capacity, nanoparticle synthesis, and catalysis. Our low‐pressure membrane approach is marked by reaction and separation selectivity and their tunability by operating pH, ionic strength or pressure. The sustainable, green chemistry, approach using ambient conditions and the evaluation of reactive membranes comprising poly acrylic acid (PAA)‐modified poly vinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane is described. Two distinct membrane types were obtained: 1) stacked‐membrane with layer‐by‐layer assembly approach for incorporation of enzymes (catalase, glucose oxidase) for tunable product yields, and 2) in‐situ, green synthesis of 20 ‐ 50 nm iron‐based nanoparticles. Here,we report for the synthesis of supported Fe and Fe/Pd nanoparticles in membrane pores using vitamin C and tea polyphenols as reducing agents and demonstrated the reactivity of these NPs toward dechlorination of toxic organics.The formation of bioreactor with nano‐domain interactions and mixed matrix nano‐composite membranes display remarkable versatility compared to conventional membranes. This research is funded by NIEHS‐SRP and by DOE‐KRCEE.