Materials Chemistry

Biography

Biography: Urfi Ishrat

Abstract

Organic-inorganic composite membrane contains nano sized inorganic building blocks in organic polymer by molecular level of hybridization. This architecture has opened the possibility to combine in a single solid both the attractive properties of a mechanically and thermally stable inorganic backbone and the specific chemical reactivity, dielectric, ductility, flexibility, and processability of the organic polymer. The study of nano-filtration membranes and processes is a rapidly expanding research interest area. In view of foregoing, attempts have been made to synthesize new hydrocarbon ionomers, organic-inorganic hybrid membranes. Excellent thermal and chemical stability allows inorganic membranes to be used in high temperature and extreme pH applications. They have also been of interest in material science as selective gas permeable membranes. Among the methods of preparation developed the sol-gel technique is one of the most extensively applied method for preparation of organic-inorganic materials, which allows formation of inorganic frameworks under mild condition and incorporation of minerals into polymers, resulting in an increased chemical, mechanical and thermal stability without decreasing properties of polymers. There has been a growing interest in the use of inorganic membrane for several industrial and laboratory applications. This is because they offer many advantages over organic counterparts in separation processes. These include resistance to compaction under high pressure, chemical stability at high temperature (including steam sterilization procedures), insensitivity to bacterial action and a long operational life. In the field of water and waste-water treatment, filtration through an organic-inorganic membrane are most promising technology.