Grafted Polymer Nanocomposite Materials, Systems, And Methods
AssigneeThe Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
InventorsSanat K. Kumar, Christopher James Durning, Eileen Buenning, Connor Bilchak
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Provided are methods of separating one or more components from a fluid by using membranes and other materials comprising polymer graft nanoparticles arranged in a lattice structure. The disclosed compositions exhibit an increase in selectivity between two penetrants that is greater than the neat polymer selectivity for those penetrants. The compositions also exhibit an increase in selectivity between two penetrants with increasing permeability. Also provided are systems for effecting such separations, systems for agent detection, and additional methods for constructing separation components.
Claims29
A composition, comprising:
- a plurality of graft nanoparticles,
- a graft nanoparticle comprising a nanoparticle (a) having an average cross-sectional dimension in the range of from about 1 nm to about 50 nm and (b) having a population of polymer chains attached thereto.
A method, comprising:
- contacting a fluid having at least two components to a membrane under such conditions such that one of the at least two components of the fluid is preferentially passed through the membrane,
- the membrane comprising a plurality of graft nanoparticles,
- a graft nanoparticle comprising a nanoparticle (a) having an average cross-sectional dimension in the range of from about 1 nm to about 50 nm and (b) having a population of polymer chains attached thereto,
- the plurality of graft nanoparticles being arranged in a lattice structure.
A system, comprising:
- a chamber having an inlet,
- the inlet in fluid communication with a first membrane,
- the first membrane comprising a plurality of graft nanoparticles,
- a graft nanoparticle comprising a nanoparticle (a) having an average cross-sectional dimension in the range of from about 1 nm to about 50 nm and (b) having a population of polymer chains attached thereto, and
- the plurality of graft nanoparticles being arranged in a lattice structure.
A sensing device, comprising:
- a first assembly of a plurality of graft nanoparticles,
- a graft nanoparticle comprising a nanoparticle (a) having an average cross-sectional dimension in the range of from about 1 nm to about 50 nm and (b) having a population of polymer chains attached thereto, and
- the plurality of graft nanoparticles being arranged in a lattice structure;
- and
- a detector configured to detect a physical change in the assembly related to the assembly's exposure to an agent.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.