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msc thesis/internship project: stable polyelectrolyte multilayer nanofiltration membranes for advanced water treatment
This project aims to explore various crosslinking methods to introduce covalent bonds, thereby enhancing membrane stability and fine-tuning membrane selectivity for specialized water treatment applications
Job
Project description:
In recent years, polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) nanofiltration (NF) membranes have shown significant advancements in separation properties for various applications. A key advantage of these membranes lies in the versatility of the layer-by-layer (LbL) technique, which allows for precise tuning of the chemistry and performance of NF membranes, enabling them to go beyond the capabilities of conventional NF membranes. Especially, PEM membranes based on PDADMAC (poly(diallyldimethylammoniumchloride)) and PSS (poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate)) show excellent chemical stability, allowing for operation at extreme pH conditions and cleaning with hypochlorite. However, a significant drawback of PDADMAC/PSS-based membranes is their reduced stability in highly saline streams, as the ionic bonds that hold the PEM layer together weaken. This project aims to explore various crosslinking methods to introduce covalent bonds, thereby enhancing membrane stability and fine-tuning membrane selectivity for specialized water treatment applications.
Tasks:
- Membrane fabrication (Non-solvent induced phase separation) and modification (layer-by-layer technique, chemical crosslinking)
- Membrane characterization including thickness measurement, filtration experiments (water permeability, salt retention, conductivity) and other relevant analysis
- Data analysis
- Writing a report
Profile
Your profile:
- Background in chemical/environmental engineering, material science, chemistry, physical chemistry, or related fields;
- Experience and knowledge in membrane technology would be a plus.
- highly motivated, enthusiastic;
- Established hands-on laboratory and instrument experience would be a plus.
- Fluent in English and good English writing skills
- EU citizen or non-EU citizen already enrolled in a Dutch university and living in the Netherlands.
Benefits
Offers & Benefits:
- Allowance: The allowance for students is €200. The student can apply for ‘Wetsus Grant’ allowance (€200 extra; an internal committee decides if the allowance will be granted*)
- Collaborative interaction within a dynamic, multidisciplinary and multinationals research team between Wetsus and University of Twente.
- You would be part of a big EU project with industrial partners where you have the chance to expand your network and improve your skills
*The Wetsus Grant allowance is not guaranteed and must be approved by the Grant Committee.
