CBE Seminar - Baolin Deng

Designing Polymer-Matrix Nanocomposite Membranes for Water Treatment and Reuse

All dates for this event occur in the past.

130 CBEC
130 CBEC
151 W. Woodruff Ave
Columbus, OH 43210
United States

Baolin Deng

C.W. LaPierre Professor
Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering and Nuclear Engineering Program
Chairman, Department of Chemical Engineering
University of Missouri

Designing Polymer-Matrix Nanocomposite Membranes for Water Treatment and Reuse

Abstract

One of the grand challenges afflicting human society is inadequate access to suitable water resources.  Membrane water treatment is expected to play an increasingly important role in addressing the water challenge.  In this presentation, I plan to discuss the development of polymer-matrix nanocomposite membranes for drinking water treatment, brackish and seawater desalination, and wastewater treatment and reuse. The advanced nanocomposite membranes could be designed to meet specific water treatment applications by tuning their structure and physicochemical properties (e.g. hydrophilicity, porosity, charge density, and thermal and mechanical stability) and introducing unique functionalities (e.g. antibacterial, photocatalytic or adsorptive capabilities). The nanocomposite membranes could be classified into (1) conventional nanocomposite, (2) thin-film nanocomposite (TFN), (3) thin-film composite (TFC) with nanocomposite substrate, and (4) surface located nanocomposite, based on the membrane structure and location of nanomaterial. Examples will be presented to illustrate how materials properties could be explored to enhance membrane performance and antifouling characteristics. Challenges and future research directions in developing high performance nanocomposite membranes are also be discussed.

Bio

Dr. Baolin Deng is currently C. W. LaPierre Professor in Environmental Engineering and Chair, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Missouri (MU).  He also serves as Director of Missouri Water Resources Research Center (MoWRRC). He obtained his Ph.D. degree from the Johns Hopkins University in 1996 and conducted research in the US Air Force Research Laboratory as NRC Research Associate prior to his academic career, first at New Mexico Tech and then at MU since 2001.  Deng’s research concerns with drinking water treatment, wastewater treatment and reuse by membrane filtration, and fundamental kinetics and mechanism of contaminant transformation in aquatic systems. He has been PI/co-PI for three dozen research projects including the CAREER award from the National Science Foundation, and published over 90 journal articles and 9 book chapters.  Deng is the Associate Editor/Asian regional editor for Environmental Engineering Science. He teaches several undergraduate and graduate courses, including Fundamentals of Environmental Engineering, Physicochemical and Biological Processes, Environmental Sustainability, Water Treatment Process Design, Aquatic Chemistry, Environmental Chemical Kinetics, and Hazardous Waste Management.  

 

 

 

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