Effect of dispersion state of Cloisite15A® on the performance of SPEEK/Cloisite15A nanocomposite membrane for DMFC application

The introduction of 2,4,6-triaminopyrimidine (TAP) into sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK)/Cloisite15A® nanocomposite membranes were investigated for the purpose of maintaining low methanol permeability and suppressing swelling in direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC). SPEEK with 63% of degree of sulfonation (DS) was prepared by sulfonation of PEEK. Cloisite15A (7.5 wt %) along with various weight loading of TAP was incorporated into SPEEK matrix via solution intercalation method. The effect of TAP loading on the SPEEK/Cloisite15A/TAP morphology was studied. The beneficial impact of the SPEEK/Cloisite15A/TAP morphology on the physicochemical properties of the membrane was further discussed. Swelling behavior, ion exchange capacity (IEC), proton conductivity, and methanol permeability of the resultant membranes were determined as a function of Cloisite15A and TAP loadings. Uniform distribution of Cloisite15A particles in the SPEEK polymer matrix in the homogenous SPEEK/Cloisite15A/TAP nanocomposite membranes was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The water uptake of the SPEEK nanocomposite membranes decreased dramatically in the presence of TAP. The significant selectivity of SP/7.5/7.5 nanocomposite membranes could indicate a potential feasibility as a promising electrolyte for DMFC

Effects of montmorillonite nano-clay fillers on PEI mixed matrix membrane for CO(2) removal

This paper focuses on the effect of montmorillonite nano-clay fillers on polyetherimide (PEI) mixed matrix membrane, specifically upon the removal of carbon dioxide. Five different types of montmorillonite (MMT) nano-clays, including unmodified and industrially modified clays, were used as filler to fabricate asymmetric flat sheet mixed matrix membrane (MMM) via a dry/wet phase inversion technique. The five types of clay used were: raw MMT, Cloisite 15A, general MMT, hydrophobic MMT and hydrophilic MMT. The MMTs were characterized by X-ray diffractometry (XRD), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR). The fabricated MMMs were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), field emission scanning electron microscopic (FESEM) and pure gas permeation testing. The gas permeation results revealed the following order in terms of the permselectivity for CO2/CH4 separation: Cloisite 15A > general MMT > hydrophilic MMT > hydrophobic MMT > raw MMT. The best results were obtained at 0.5 wt.% Cloisite 15A loading where the selectivity enhancement was about 28% as compared to that of neat PEI

Facilitated transport effect of Ag+ ion exchanged halloysite nanotubes on the performance of polyetherimide mixed matrix membrane for gas separation

This study investigated the facilitated transport effect of Ag+ ion exchanged halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) as filler on the gas separation performance of asymmetric mixed matrix membranes (MMMs). The polymer matrix employed in this study was commercial polyetherimide (PEI) Ultem 1000. The modified HNTs were prepared by treating HNTs with N-ß-(aminoethyl)-?-aminopropyltrimethoxy silane (AEAPTMS) and silver nitrate. FESEM, XRD, FTIR, TGA, DSC, EDX and pure gas permeation testing were used to characterise the modified HNTs and the fabricated MMMs. Three protocols were performed: (i) S-HNT MMM (no Ag+ ion exchange treatment), (ii) S-Ag-HNT MMM (first Ag+ ion exchanging and then silylation of HNTs), and (iii) Ag-S-HNT MMM (first silylation and then Ag+ ion exchanging of HNTs). FTIR and TGA showed that silylation occurred successfully. From XRD we found out that, the Ag+ ion exchanging did not affect the HNT crystalline structure. EDX revealed that, Ag+ ion exchanging after silylation of HNTs resulted in much higher concentration of Ag+ ions in the Ag-S-HNT product. This in turn showed that AEAPTMS could successfully enhance the HNTs cation exchange capacity (CEC), which resulted in higher concentration of Ag+ ions in the modified HNTs. DSC disclosed depression in the glass transition temperature (Tg) of MMMs possessed Ag+ ions. Three major factors were discussed: (i) facilitated transport affect of Ag+ ions, (ii) Knudsen diffusion and (iii) Tg depression. By increasing the fillers loading, all of the factors exhibited an additive influence on the permeability. The order of closeness of the resultant MMMs to the ideal morphology was as follows: Ag-S-HNT MMM > S-Ag-HNT MMM > S-HNT MMM. Ag-S-HNT MMM exhibited outstanding performance among the three protocols

Management of Localized Prostate Cancer by Focal Transurethral Resection of Prostate Cancer: An Application of Radical TUR-PCa to Focal Therapy

Background. We analyzed radical TUR-PCa against localized prostate cancer. Patients and Methods. Seventy-nine out of 209 patients with prostate cancer in one lobe were studied. Patients' age ranged from 58 to 91 years and preoperative PSA, 0.70 to 17.30 ng/mL. In other 16 additional patients we performed focal TUR-PCa. Patients' age ranged from 51 to 87 years and preoperative PSA, 1.51 to 25.74 ng/mL. Results. PSA failure in radical TUR-PCa was 5.1% during the mean follow-up period of 58.9 months. The actuarial biochemical non-recurrence rate was 98.2% for pT2a and 90.5% for pT2b. Bladder neck contracture occurred in 28 patients (35.4%). In 209 patients, pathological study revealed prostate cancer of the peripheral zone near the neurovascular bundle bilaterally in 25%, unilaterally in 39% and no cancer bilaterally in 35%, suggesting the possibility of focal TUR-PCa. Postoperative PSA of 16 patients treated by focal TUR-PCa was stable between 0.007 and 0.406 ng/mL at 24.2 months' follow-up. No patients suffered from urinary incontinence. Bladder neck contracture developed in only 1 patient and all 5 patients underwent nerve-preserving TUR-PCa did not show erectile dysfunction. Conclusion. Focal TUR-PCa was considered to be a promising option among focal therapies against localized prostate cancer

Fundamentals of RO membrane separation process: problems and solutions

It is the intention of the authors to let the students understand the underlying principles of membrane separation processes by solving the problems numerically, in general. In particular, in this article problems and answers are presented for reverse osmosis (RO), one of the membrane separation processes driven by the transmembrane hydraulic pressure difference. The transport theories for RO were developed in early nineteen sixties, when the industrial membrane separation processes emerged. These problems are solved step by step using a simple calculator or Excel in computer