This dissertation focuses on the preparation of new Nafion®/ ex-situ silica nanocomposites membranes and the impact of particle size of spherical silica particles on the nanocomposites' properties. To achieve acceptable power production, fuel cell polymer membranes are required with good proton conductivity, water retention, thermal and mechanical stability. However, to avoid poisoning of fuel cell electrocatalysts with CO or other fuel contaminants, they must be operated at temperatures (>100 °C). At these temperatures, fuel cell membranes dehydrate resulting in dramatic decreases in proton conductivity or complete failure as membranes crack due to volumetric stress from water loss. Even if fuel cell is kept in a humidified chamber, increasing temperature will eventually shut the cell down as Nafion®'s bicontinuous structure "dissolves" into a single poorly conducting phase at temperatures above the polymer's Tg.This research provides systematic studies of effects of silica particle size on properties of silica-Nafion® nanocomposites. Results of this study include new insights into requirements for reproducible particle syntheses, practical methods for avoiding silica particle floatation during Nafion® nanocomposite membranes preparation, and a summary of the influence of particle size and functionalization on Nafion® membrane properties. Stober particle syntheses showed high sensitive to ammonia concentration and we discovered that literature procedures' variability is likely due to researchers failure to actually measure ammonia concentration in their aqueous base (which can be 50% or more off). Homogeneous nanocomposite membranes, as determined by AFM and SEM, were successfully prepared using more viscous dispersions. It was observed that nanocomposites membranes with small particles (<50 nm) showed significant increases in proton conductivity at temperatures above 80 °C. Surface modification of the silica particles improved the proton conductivity at 80 °C. Enhancement on proton conductivity was more pronounced with small modified particles at temperatures < 80 °C but unmodified particles were better than modified particles at temperatures >80 °C. Small, unmodified particles led to enhanced thermal stability of the Nafion® ionic domain, however, surface modification did not result in any thermal stability enhancement. Contrary to the expected, mechanical properties of the Nafion® were degraded by adding the silica particles, especially with smaller particles (<50nm).

Orientador: Maria do Carmo Gonçalves / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Química / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-24T02:16:34Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Andrade_PatriciaFernanda_D.pdf: 6247587 bytes, checksum: f34d80dacc0ecfa31beb35c9a4f8ab70 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013 / Resumo: Neste trabalho foram preparadas e caracterizadas nanopartículas de prata estabilizadas com polivinilpirrolidona (PVP) e ß-ciclodextrina (ß-CD), que foram incorporadas em matrizes poliméricas, para a obtenção de membranas. As nanopartículas de prata (AgNP) foram sintetizadas pelo método de redução química. Para as AgNP-PVP, foi investigada a influência da concentração do precursor (AgNO3) e da razão molar de PVP em relação ao precursor. A partir dos resultados obtidos, foram selecionadas as melhores condições experimentais para a preparação das AgNP-ß-CD. As AgNP foram caracterizadas por espectroscopias na região do ultravioleta-visível e na região do infravermelho com transformada de Fourier (UV-vis e FTIR), difração de raios X (DRX), espectroscopia de espalhamento de Luz Dinâmico (DLS), microscopia eletrônica de transmissão (TEM) e análise termogravimétrica (TGA). As morfologias das AgNP-PVP e AgNP-ß-CD foram investigadas visando a caracterização da camada de polímero ao redor das nanopartículas, pela técnica de imagem espectroscópica de elétrons associada à microscopia eletrônica de transmissão (ESI-TEM). As nanopartículas estabilizadas com PVP apresentaram diâmetro médio de 45 nm, quando preparadas a partir da concentração de 0,01 mol L-1 e razão molar PVP/AgNO3 igual a 1,5. As nanopartículas estabilizadas por ß-CD apresentaram diâmetro médio de 28 nm, quando preparadas nas mesmas condições indicadas para as de AgNP-PVP. O estudo morfológico da camada polimérica ao redor das AgNP-PVP e AgNP-ß-CD, realizado por ESI-TEM, confirmou a maior concentração de carbono e oxigênio nessa região, sugerindo a existência de uma camada definida e coesa dos estabilizantes envolvendo as nanopartículas. Os valores de concentração mínima inibitória contra a E. coli, após 3 h e 2 h de incubação, foram 12,5 µg mL-1 e 20 µg mL-1 para AgNP-PVP e AgNP-ß-CD, respectivamente. As membranas de polissulfona (PSf) e acetato de celulose (CA), contendo AgNP-PVP e AgNP-ß-CD, respectivamente, foram obtidas pelo método de inversão de fases, tendo como variável a quantidade de AgNP adicionada às matrizes poliméricas. Todas as membranas foram caracterizadas por UV-vis,DRX, FTIR, microscopia eletrônica de varredura com fonte de emissão de campo (FESEM), TEM, calorimetria diferencial de varredura (DSC), TGA, ângulo de contato e fluxo de água. A incorporação de nanopartículas de prata nas membranas de PSf e CA foi realizada utilizando diferentes metodologias, que influenciaram tanto o diâmetro médio das nanopartículas, quanto a morfologia e sua distribuição na matriz polimérica. A incorporação das nanopartículas nas membranas não alterou a estabilidade térmica das matrizes poliméricas, entretanto, aumentou seu caráter hidrofílico e, consequentemente, o fluxo de água. A membrana de PSf, contendo 2% de AgNP, apresentou 100% de inibição de crescimento bacteriano para E. coli, como também a membrana CA para S. aureus e E. coli. As membranas de PSf e CA, contendo 2% de AgNP, apresentaram redução na formação de biofilme para E. coli de 89 ± 1% e 98 ± 3%, respectivamente. Estas membranas podem ser consideradas interessantes em diferentes aplicações, tais como no tratamento de água e recuperação de águas residuais / Abstract: Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), stabilized with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and ß-cyclodextrin (ß-CD), were prepared, characterized and incorporated into polymer matrices to produce membranes in this work. The AgNPs were synthesized by the chemical reduction method. The influence of the precursor concentration and PVP molar ratio in relation to the precursor concentration (AgNO3) was investigated for the AgNP-PVP. Based on the results, the best experimental conditions were selected for the preparation of AgNP-ß-CD. The AgNPs were characterized by UV-visible and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopies (FTIR and UV-vis), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and thermogravimetry analysis (TGA). The morphologies of the AgNP-PVP and AgNP-ß-CD were investigated by electron spectroscopy image associated to TEM (ESI-TEM) to characterize of the polymer layer around the nanoparticles. The nanoparticles which were stabilized with PVP presented an average diameter of 45 nm, when prepared from the 0.01 mol L-1 concentration and 1.5 PVP/ AgNO3 molar ratio. The nanoparticles which were stabilized by ß-CD showed an average diameter of 28 nm, when prepared under the same conditions indicated above. The morphological study of the polymeric layer around the AgNP-PVP and AgNP-ß-CD, carried out by ESI-TEM, confirmed a greater concentration of carbon and oxygen in this region, suggesting the existence of a defined and cohesive stabilizing layer surrounding the nanoparticles. The minimum inhibitory concentration values against E. coli after 2 to 3 hours of incubation were 12.5 µg mL-1 and 20 µg mL-1 for AgNP-PVP and AgNP-ß-CD, respectively. The polysulfone (PSf) and cellulose acetate (CA) membranes, containing AgNP-PVP and AgNP-ß-CD, respectively, were obtained by the phase inversion method, by varying the amount of silver nanoparticles added to the polymer matrix. All the membranes were characterized by UV-vis, XRD, FTIR, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), TEM, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), contact angle and water flux. The incorporation of the silver nanoparticles into the PSf and CA membranes was carried out using different methods, which influenced both the average diameter of the nanoparticles and the morphology and their distribution in the polymer matrices. The addition of nanoparticles into the membranes did not change the thermal stability of the polymer matrices, however, it did increase the hydrophilic character and consequently water flux. The PSf membranes containing 2% of silver nanoparticles showed 100% inhibition growth of E. coli, as well as the CA membrane that showed 100% inhibition growth for S. aureus and E. coli. The PSf and CA membranes, containing 2% of silver nanoparticles, presented a reduction in the biofilm formation for E. coli of 89 ± 1% and 98 ± 3%, respectively. These membranes can be considered interesting materials in different applications such as in water treatment and the recovery of residual water / Doutorado / Físico-Química / Doutora em Ciências

Among the next generation materials being investigated for membrane development, partially reduced Graphene Oxide (rGO) has received increasing attention from the membrane community. rGO-based nanofiltration membranes have shown promising results in applications such as partial desalination, organic contaminant removal, gas-phase separations, and separations from solvent media. rGO offers a unique platform compared to common polymeric membranes since it can be used for separation applications in both aqueous and organic solvent media. An rGO-based platform could also be utilized to synthesize reactive membranes, giving rGO membranes the additional capability of reactively removing organic contaminants. This research focuses on the synthesis of rGO and nanocomposite membranes for applications including the separation of high-value phenolic compounds from a solvent-water mixture, removal of organic contaminants, and treatment of refinery wastewater. First, the behavior of a rGO membrane in water and isopropanol was investigated along with its ability to separate high-value, lignin-derived oligomeric compounds from a solvent-water mixture. This study revealed the formation of stable sorbates of water in the GO channels that resulted in declined membrane permeance and improved size-exclusion cutoff. Through controlled reduction of GO by heat treatment, it was demonstrated that physicochemical properties of the GO membrane could be modulated and separation performance tuned based on the extent of reduction. A varying degree of interlayer spacing was attained between the GO laminates by controlling the O/C ratio of GO. This allowed the rGO membrane to achieve tunable molecular separation of lignin-derived model oligomeric compounds from a solvent-water mixture. Second, the mechanism of ionic transport through the rGO membrane was studied as well as its application in partial desalination and removal of persistent organic contaminants from water. Through comprehensive experimental investigations and mathematical analysis, along with the aid of the extended Nernst Planck equation, the impacts of steric hindrance and charge interactions on the underlying ion transport mechanism were quantified. Charge interactions were observed to be the dominant exclusion mechanism for the rGO membranes. The application of rGO membranes for treatment of high TDS produced water was investigated with the goal of partial hardness and dissolved oil removal. In addition, this study demonstrated the removal of emerging organic contaminants, specifically perfluorooctanoic acid, by rGO membranes and elucidated a charge interaction-dominated exclusion mechanism for this contaminant, as well. Finally, rGO-based and microporous polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)-based catalytic membrane platforms were synthesized for removal of organic contaminants via an oxidative pathway. Herein, an advanced oxidation process was integrated with membrane technology by the in-situ synthesis of Fe-based nanoparticles. The unique capability to oxidatively remove contaminants in a continuous mode of operation was explored in addition to the separation performance of the membrane. The rGO-based platform achieved high oxidative removal of trichloroethylene via a sulfate-free, radical-mediated pathway, while simultaneously removing humic acids from water and potentially eliminating undesired side reactions. A PVDF-based microporous catalytic membrane platform was shown to effectively remove organic impurities, such as Naphthenic acids, from high TDS produced water by the same pathway. The enhancement of reaction extent for elevated temperatures and longer residence times was also quantified in this study. These studies benefit the membrane community in the following ways: 1) The work identifies the critical role of the physicochemical properties of GO, such as the O/C ratio and water sorption, for determining the permeability-selectivity of rGO membranes for solvent nanofiltration. 2) Investigations of ion transport through rGO membranes led to an understanding of a charge-dominated separation mechanism for ion retention. The Nernst-Planck equation-based approach employed in this study would enable further assessment and comparison of rGO membranes under a wide set of parameters. 3) Catalytic membrane platforms (rGO and microporous PVDF-based) were synthesized for conducting advanced oxidation reactions in the porous membrane domain, demonstrating potential applications in environmental remediation of organic contaminants.