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Electrophoretic Crystallization of Ultrathin High-performance Metal-organic Framework Membranes
Published on: August 16, 2018
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Fabrication techniques enabling ultrathin nanostructured membranes for separations
Marcela Mireles1, Thomas R Gaborski1
1Biomedical Engineering Department, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY, USA.
Electrophoresis
|May 20, 2017
Summary
This review highlights inexpensive nanofabrication techniques for creating nanoporous membranes. These methods yield ultrathin films with a pore size to thickness ratio near one, enhancing separation performance.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Nanostructured materials fabrication is crucial for advanced applications.
- Nanoporous membranes are vital for molecular separations, cell culture, and plasmonics.
- Through-pores in ultrathin films offer high permeability and separation potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review cost-effective fabrication techniques for nanostructured materials.
- To focus on methods producing through-pores with a pore size to thickness ratio near one.
- To enable the production of nanoporous membranes for improved separation.
Main Methods:
- Self-organizing polymers
- Nanosphere lithography
- Anodization
- Nanoimprint lithography
- Solid phase crystallization
- Nanosphere lens lithography
Main Results:
- Successful fabrication of large-area, parallel, and affordable nanoporous membranes.
- Achieved pore sizes ranging from 10 to 350 nm.
- Demonstrated pore size to thickness ratios close to one.
Conclusions:
- The reviewed techniques provide inexpensive routes to high-performance nanoporous membranes.
- These membranes exhibit enhanced selectivity and permeability for ultrafiltration applications.
- This work offers practical methods for advancing separation technologies.
