Aligned nanotubule membranes
AssigneeUniversity of Kentucky Research Foundation
InventorBruce J. Hinds, III
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method is provided for producing a permeable membrane, comprising the steps of aligning a plurality of hollow nanotubules to form a mat, coating the mat with a continuous polymer matrix to form a membrane. The membrane is etched (a) to open the plurality of hollow nanotubules and form pores and (b) to oxidize the carboxyl groups to carboxylate groups. At least one additional functional unit having at least one available amine group to bind the at least one additional functional unit to the nanotubule end carboxylate group may be provided. Membranes fabricated in accordance with the method of the invention are provided also.
Claims90
A method for producing a permeable membrane, comprising the steps of:
- aligning a plurality of hollow nanotubules to form a mat;
- coating the mat with a continuous polymer matrix to form a membrane;
- and
- etching the membrane to remove a layer of polymer from a surface of the membrane to (a) open the plurality of hollow nanotubules whereby the nanotubules define pores passing through the membrane, and (b) oxidize an end of the nanotubules to form carboxylate groups.
An ordered nanoporous permeable membrane, comprising a plurality of aligned hollow nanotubules coated with a continuous polymer matrix to form a membrane, wherein the membrane is etched to remove a layer of polymer from a surface of the membrane to (a) open the plurality of hollow nanotubules whereby the nanotubules define pores passing through the membrane, and (b) oxidize an end of the nanotubules to form carboxylate groups.
A method for altering flux of a target molecule through an ordered nanoporous permeable membrane, comprising:
- aligning a plurality of hollow nanotubules to form a mat;
- coating the mat with a continuous polymer matrix to form a membrane;
- etching the membrane to remove a layer of polymer from a surface of the membrane to (a) open the plurality of hollow nanotubules whereby the nanotubules define pores passing through the membrane, and (b) oxidize an end of the nanotubules to form carboxylate groups;
- and
- binding at least one additional functional unit to the carboxylate groups to alter a flux rate of a predetermined target molecule through the permeable membrane.
A method for increasing flux of a target molecule through an ordered, nanoporous permeable membrane, comprising:
- aligning a plurality of hollow nanotubules to form a mat;
- coating the mat with a continuous polymer matrix to form a membrane;
- and
- selectively etching the membrane to remove a layer of polymer from a surface of the membrane to (a) open the plurality of hollow nanotubules whereby the nanotubules define pores passing through the membrane, and (b) oxidize an end of the nanotubules to form carboxylate groups;
- the step of selectively etching the membrane being performed whereby the plurality of nanotubules are shortened to a length that is less than a dimension of the polymer matrix, providing a path for flux of the target molecule that is less than the dimension of the polymer matrix.
A method for differentially functionalizing opposed sides of an ordered nanoporous permeable membrane, comprising:
- aligning a plurality of hollow nanotubules to form a mat;
- coating the mat with a continuous polymer matrix to form a membrane;
- etching the membrane to remove a layer of polymer from a surface of the membrane to (a) open the plurality of hollow nanotubules whereby the nanotubules define pores passing through the membrane, and (b) oxidize an end of the nanotubules to form carboxylate groups;
- binding at least one first functional unit to the carboxylate groups on a first side of the membrane;
- and
- binding at least one second functional unit to the carboxylate groups on a second, opposed side of the membrane.
A differentially functionalized ordered nanoporous permeable membrane, comprising a plurality of aligned hollow nanotubules coated with a continuous polymer matrix to form a membrane, wherein the membrane is etched to remove a layer of polymer from a surface of the membrane to (a) open the plurality of hollow nanotubules whereby the nanotubules define pores passing through the membrane, and (b) oxidize an end of the nanotubules to form carboxylate groups;
- and
- further wherein at least one first functional unit is bound to the carboxylate groups on a first side of the membrane, and at least one second functional unit is bound to the carboxylate groups on a second side of the membrane.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.