Graphene-Polyamide Composite Membranes for Water Filtration

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for effective methods to manufacture graphene-polyamide composites in various forms, such as membranes and microparticles, for applications in water treatment and redox chemistry, as existing methods face challenges in forming these composite forms efficiently.

Innovation Solution

The development of graphene-polyamide composites through interfacial polymerization, where a biphasic polymerizable mixture with an aqueous and organic solvent is used to form membranes with a graphene side and a polyamide side, or microparticles with a graphene core and a polyamide shell, allowing for self-supporting structures with improved structural integrity and flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If interfacial polymerization is used to form graphene-polyamide composites, then structural integrity and flexibility are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases due to the biphasic system requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses an organic solvent as an intermediary phase in a biphasic system with aqueous solution. The organic solvent immiscible with water creates a distinct interface where polymerization occurs, allowing graphene-polyamide composite formation with enhanced structural integrity while controlling the complexity through systematic phase separation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates localized polymerization at the interface between aqueous and organic phases. The polyamide forms specifically at this interface region where monomers concentrate, creating a localized composite structure with enhanced properties while maintaining control over the overall manufacturing process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional melt blending is used to form graphene-polyamide composites, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but composite formation efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidcomposite formation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent exploits phase transitions and phase separation by using a biphasic system (aqueous and organic phases). The polymerization occurs preferentially at the phase interface where monomer concentration is highest, dramatically improving composite formation efficiency compared to homogeneous melt blending while maintaining manufacturing feasibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

3Reliability

If graphene-polyamide composites are used for water treatment, then filtration efficiency and solute rejection are improved, but energy consumption increases due to electrochemical processes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltration efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite material combining graphene's electrical conductivity and mechanical strength with polyamide's filtration capabilities. This composite structure enables enhanced filtration efficiency through the synergistic properties of both materials, allowing for improved solute rejection while the graphene component facilitates electrochemical processes with reduced energy requirements compared to conventional membranes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Strength

If self-supporting membrane structure is formed, then mechanical flexibility is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical flexibilityVSAvoidinterface control precision

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs self-service mechanisms where the biphasic system automatically forms a stable interface during polymerization. The immiscible aqueous and organic phases naturally separate and maintain a well-defined interface without requiring external support structures, enabling self-supporting membranes with good mechanical flexibility while reducing the precision requirements for external support fabrication

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 graphene-polyamide composites demonstrate enhanced water treatment capabilities, including efficient filtration and desalination, with low energy consumption and reduced membrane fouling, and exhibit robust mechanical properties and high solute rejection efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

allowing the polymerizable monomers to polymerize under conditions effective to form the membrane at the interface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInterfacial polymerization: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

providing the above-described graphene-polyamide composite membrane for filtration by flow-through mode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 3

allowing the microparticles to selectively absorb water into their core and exclude one or more solutes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSelective absorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 4

applying a pressure on the microparticles to release desalinated water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure-driven flow: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS20220387940A1Graphene-polyamide composite membranes and microparticles, methods of manufacture, and methods of use

Publication Date: 2022.12.08 UNIV OF CONNECTICUT

AI summary

A composite that includes graphene and an interfacially-polymerized polyamide, where the composite is in the form of a self-supporting membrane having a graphene side opposite to a polyamide side, or the composite is in the form of a microparticle comprising a graphene core and a polyamide shell, a method of manufacture of the composites by interfacial polymerization and methods of use of the composite are described.