Assessing the performance of polymer/enzyme structures for liquid molecular separations

Abstract

Inadequate wastewater infrastructure has led to the development of alternative, more efficient, sustainable separation methods. The thesis research focused on developing separation material for liquid molecular separations using Lyotropic Liquid Crystals (LLC). The study of polymer/LLC materials facilitates the understanding of mass transport and selective molecule rejection and aid in energy source production during osmotically driven processes. LLC self-arranges inherently in specific 3D geometric patterns and creates a pore network that aids in studying mass transfer and chemical reactions in compartmentalized aqueous environments.<br /> <br /> In liquid molecular separations, separation techniques from a urine source have been explored for energy and water recovery applications. Cost-effective separation techniques such as forward osmosis (FO) are being used to tend to more specific and selective separation. As proof of concept, we studied a combination of Monoolein (Mo) and Distearoylphosphatidylcholine (Ds) as LLC components. Hence, LLCs are combined with urease (Ur) enzyme integration to enhance osmosis membranes for selective urea rejection, degradation, and resource re-utilization.