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US 2013/0095241 A1Published application
Preparation of aligned nanotube membranes for water and gas separation applications
AssigneePorifera, Inc.
InventorsValentin Lulevich, Olgica Bakajin, Jennifer E. Klare, Aleksandr Noy
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Abstract
Fabrication methods for selective membranes that include aligned nanotubes can advantageously include a mechanical polishing step. The nanotubes have their ends closed off during the step of infiltrating a polymer precursor around the nanotubes. This prevents polymer precursor from flowing into the nanotubes. The polishing step is performed after the polymer matrix is formed, and can open up the ends of the nanotubes.
Claims12
A method of making a selectively permeable membrane, the method comprising:
- providing vertically aligned nanotubes having closed top ends on a substrate;
- infiltrating a polymer precursor around the nanotubes;
- curing the polymer precursor to provide a polymer matrix around the nanotubes;
- performing mechanical polishing to planarize a top surface of the polymer matrix, wherein the mechanical polishing also opens up the top ends of the nanotubes;
- and
- releasing the polymer matrix from the substrate to provide a selectively permeable membrane.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.