Crosslinked Aromatic Membrane for Stable Nanoscale Filtration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional semipermeable membranes are mechanically unstable and lack thermal and chemical resistance when thinned for nanometer-range thickness, making them unsuitable for use as filters or adsorption membranes.
Innovation Solution
A membrane comprising a crosslinked molecular monolayer of low molecular weight aromatics, with a thickness between 1 to 200 nm and perforations of 0.1 nm to 1 μm, produced using high-energy radiation and particle beams for crosslinking and targeted perforation, ensuring mechanical stability and controlled permeability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the thickness of conventional membranes is reduced to achieve thinner membranes, then the membrane thickness is improved, but the mechanical stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs molecular monolayers (thickness 0.1-10 nm) as ultra-thin membrane structures that achieve mechanical stability through lateral crosslinking of aromatic molecules, enabling functional membranes at thicknesses far below conventional limits
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane combines organic aromatic molecules with inorganic substrates (silicon, silicon nitride, silicon oxide) to create a composite structure where the substrate provides mechanical support while the molecular monolayer provides separation functionality
2Length of stationary object
If the thickness of membranes is reduced to achieve thinner membranes, then the membrane thickness is improved, but the thermal and chemical resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical state of aromatic molecules through crosslinking transformations, creating a thermally and chemically stable network structure that maintains resistance properties at ultra-thin dimensions
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane applies different properties to different regions: the molecular monolayer provides chemical functionality and selectivity, while the substrate provides thermal stability and mechanical strength, achieving overall reliability through localized property optimization
3Manufacturing precision
If the pore diameter is reduced to achieve better separation, then the separation precision is improved, but the permeability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates controlled porous structures in the molecular monolayer with precisely defined pore sizes (0.1 nm to 1 μm) that enable size-based separation while maintaining adequate permeability through optimized pore distribution and crosslinking density
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane separates the separation function (molecular monolayer with controlled pores) from the support function (substrate), allowing independent optimization of pore size for separation precision while the substrate structure maintains overall permeability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The resulting membrane is mechanically stable, thermally resistant, and capable of efficient substance separation, with adjustable permeability and functional groups for enhanced selectivity, suitable for use as both filters and adsorption membranes.
Implementation Method 1
a molecular monolayer made up of low molecular weight aromatics and crosslinked in the lateral direction
Implementation Method 2
produced using high-energy radiation and particle beams for crosslinking and targeted perforation
Implementation Method 3
A membrane filter is a membrane in which the separation of substances is determined by the pore size. Only those molecules can pass through the membrane, the diameter of which is smaller than the diameter of the pores of the membrane
Implementation Method 4
in the case of adsorption membranes, certain substances are separated by binding them to suitable ligands on the membrane
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a membrane with at least one molecular mono layer built up of low molecular aromatics and cross-linked in the lateral direction, wherein the membrane comprises a thickness in the range from 1 to 200 nm and a perforation in form of openings with a diameter in the range from 0.1 nm to 1 μm. The invention further relates to a method for the production thereof and use thereof.