RSA CE&C 2015-2021 Group descriptions

Chemical and Process Technology (CPT) 21 MEMBRANE MATERIALS AND PROCESSES Program leader Prof .dr.ir. D.C. (Kitty) Nijmeijer Scientific staff FTE Full professor Prof .dr.ir. D.C. (Kitty) Nijmeijer ( since 02-2016 ) 1.0 Associate professor Dr.ing. Z. (Zandrie) Borneman ( since 04-2016 ) 1.0 Assistant professor Dr. A. (Antoni) Forner-Cuenca ( since 02-2019 ) 1.0 Mission and vision The vision of the research group Membrane Materials and Processes (MM/P) is to tailor materials chemistry and morphology to control polymer membrane and electrode functionality andperformance for sustainable process applications involving water, gas, electrons or a combination of these. More specifically, our aim is to understand, apply and optimize how materials chemistry and morphology determine and can be used to control mass, momentum and charge transport through polymer membrane and electrode interfaces. There is a strong focus on elucidation chemistry, structure, property and performance relationships. The expertise of the group covers a multidisciplinary knowledge chain ranging frommolecules to processes. It involves material synthesis and functionalization, molecular, geometric and morphological architecting and device and process design. This is combined with advanced physicochemical characterizations and process performance evaluations. Scientific research themes True molecular separations and controlledmass transport are key disciplines in a circular society and sustainable world. Separation at a molecular level plays an essential role in many industrial processes and applications and will further increase with the strong societal and industrial focus on the valorization of rest streams, the recovery and reuse of materials and resources, and sustainable energy generation, conversion and storage. We distinguish three major research lines: 1. Control of porosity Customized mass transport through porous media requires precise control over pore size, the orientation of percolating channels and the porosity gradient of a material. We use materials chemistry to synthesize isoporous structures through the controlled assembly of functional polymers. This involves, for example, the development of isoporous membranes based on liquid crystalline polymers for the selective recovery of minerals and nutrients and the alignment of percolating channels in mixed matrix materials. Physical approaches based on the phase separation of polymer solutions are used to induce porosity gradients throughout the thickness of a material for the development of polymer membranes with thin selective top layers for water and gas purification and treatment or electrodes with gradual porosity to enhance convective transport combined with large surface areas for energy conversion and storage. Vision Tailoring materials chemistry and morphology to control membrane and electrode functionality and performance Materials chemistry and functionality Device and process design Morphology and geometry Water Gas Electrons Process performance evaluation Structure and performance characterization Materials synthesis and characterization