Organic/silica nanocomposite membranes

Abstract

Nanoscience and nanotechnology has become a versatile and promising subject for producing new materials with enhanced properties and potential applications. In this regard, nanoparticles (NPs) have received growing attention in every sector of science and technology. The size, shape, structure, and chemical properties of engineered NPs open a vast range of technical applications and novel approaches in basic research science. Among the variety of NPs, silica NP is of a particular interest due to its ease of synthesis, functionalization, and precise controlling of size and distribution of particles. Superior features of polymeric membranes especially flexibility and processability have made them one of the best candidates for commercial applications. Meanwhile, despite of the outstanding characteristics of these membranes, their application is still limited due to the trade-off trend between gas permeability and selectivity.