| Advances in nanotechnology and materials science offer new possibilities for the development of novel water treatment technologies A salient example is the emergence of a new generation of nanostructured membranes with improved separation properties and, in some cases, multifunctional capabilities. The present work explores different aspects of the formation of nanoparticle-enabled membranes, focusing on the dependence between synthetic methods, nanoparticle properties, and the performance of the obtained membranes.;The effects of nanoparticle loading, size and morphology, and methods of nanoparticle incorporation on the functional properties of the resulting nanocomposite membranes are studied. Additionally, empirical predictors of membrane performance for the rational design of nanocomposite membranes and novel strategies for the manufacture of membrane-based sensors and biofouling resistant membrane spacers are presented.;The first chapter of the dissertation provides an overview of the theory of phase inversion in polymer blends -- one of the main methods for the fabrication of ultrafiltration membranes. The second chapter describes the study of the effect of shape and loading of carbon nanoparticle fillers on the hydraulic properties of nanocomposite membranes. In the third chapter, the effects of casting mixture composition and nanoparticle incorporation route on the morphological structure and separation performance of nanocomposite membranes are described and the potential use of these nanocomposites for the mitigation of membrane biofouling is discussed. Finally, in the last chapter, a method for the synthesis of a nanoparticle-enabled, membrane-based sensor for water quality control is presented. |
