Collaborative Research: Deciphering the nanoscale interactions during mineral nucleation and scale formation on polymer surfaces

合作研究：破译聚合物表面矿物成核和结垢过程中的纳米级相互作用

• 批准号: 2232686
• 负责人: Xitong Liu
• 金额: $ 28.22万
• 依托单位: George Washington University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2023
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2023-08-01 至 2026-07-31
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2232686&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Collaborative; Research; Deciphering; nanoscale; interactions

Mineral precipitation, or the formation of solid mineral phases from solutions, is a process of great importance in the natural environment and engineered systems. Mineral scaling on surfaces, or the unwanted deposition of mineral precipitates, poses a technological challenge to many industrial processes. In membrane-based water treatment, mineral scaling of polymer membranes decreases membrane flux, diminishes energy efficiency, and shortens membrane module lifespan. In the oil and gas industry, mineral scale deposition on the interior surface of pipes can result in complete blockage of pipelines and disrupt oil and gas production. Despite its importance, the role of polymeric solid substrates on mineral scaling is poorly understood. This research aims to understand how the surface characteristics of polymers impact the formation of mineral scales. The investigators will employ combined experimental characterization and theoretical analysis to examine the nanoscale interactions that drive mineral scale formation on polymeric substrates. The findings of this work will inform design of anti-scaling polymer surfaces in submerged aqueous environments, which will bring significant economic benefits to industries in which mineral scaling plagues system performance and long-term durability. This research project will provide outreach activities through public engagement at both George Washington University and University of Maryland. The investigators will host a yearly student-run symposium on environmental nanoscience, and host high school student interns and deliver guest lectures to local high school students. Mineral scaling on surfaces, or the unwanted deposition of mineral precipitates, is a ubiquitous yet unwanted phenomenon in many industrial processes including reverse osmosis, water desalination, heat exchangers, and oil and gas production. One promising strategy for mitigating scaling is to modify polymer surface characteristics or apply polymer coatings to non-polymer surfaces to render the surface scaling resistant. Currently, there is a significant knowledge gap in understanding the nanoscale interactions and physicochemical processes in the initial stages of scale formation on polymers. This knowledge gap limits rational development of scaling-resistant membranes and surface polymer coatings. In this research, the investigators will integrate liquid phase transmission electron microscopy, real-time measurement of scale formation dynamics using quartz crystal microbalance, and theoretical modeling to establish nucleation mechanisms during scaling of silica and gypsum on polyamide surfaces. The research objectives are to 1) investigate the effect of surface charge and hydrophobicity of polyamide films prepared via molecular layer-by-layer assembly on mineral scaling rate, 2) employ liquid phase transmission electron microscopy to visualize and quantify mineral nucleation dynamics on polyamide surfaces in real time at the nanometer length scale and 3) derive theoretical models for nanoparticle attachment and nucleation kinetics to identify the nanoscale interactions involved in scale formation as a function of polymer surface chemistry. The results of this work will facilitate rational manipulation of nanoscale mineral-membrane interactions to prevent mineral scaling on engineering polymers in the aqueous environment. Educational and outreach aspects of the project will incorporate research findings into undergraduate and graduate course materials, host joint student-run nanomaterial and water symposia, and enhance the participation of underrepresented students in research.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

矿物沉淀或从溶液中形成固体矿物相，是自然环境和工程系统中非常重要的过程。在表面上的矿物缩放或矿物沉淀的不良沉积对许多工业过程构成了技术挑战。在基于膜的水处理中，聚合物膜的矿物质缩放缩放可降低膜通量，降低能源效率，并缩短膜模块寿命。在石油和天然气行业中，管道内部表面上的矿物质规模沉积会导致管道完全阻塞并破坏石油和天然气的生产。尽管它的重要性，但对聚合物固体底物在矿物缩放尺度上的作用知之甚少。 这项研究旨在了解聚合物的表面特征如何影响矿物量表的形成。研究人员将采用合并的实验表征和理论分析来检查驱动聚合物底物上矿物量表形成的纳米相互作用。这项工作的发现将为淹没水环境中的抗缩放聚合物表面的设计提供信息，这将为矿物质规模损害系统性能和长期耐用性的行业带来巨大的经济利益。该研究项目将通过乔治华盛顿大学和马里兰大学的公众参与来提供外展活动。调查人员将在环境纳米科学上举办年度学生举办的研讨会，并主持高中生实习生，并向当地的高中生讲座。在许多工业过程中，包括无处不在但不必要的现象，包括反渗透，水性脱盐，热交换器以及石油和天然气生产，是无处不在但不必要的现象。缓解缩放缩放的一种有希望的策略是修改聚合物表面特征或将聚合物涂层应用于非聚合物表面以使表面尺度抗性。当前，在聚合物对量表形成的初始阶段中，了解纳米级相互作用和物理化学过程存在很大的知识差距。这种知识差距限制了耐缩放膜和表面聚合物涂层的合理发展。在这项研究中，研究人员将使用石英晶体微量平衡的液相传输电子显微镜，对量表形成动力学的实时测量以及理论建模，以在聚酰胺表面上的硅胶和石膏缩放期间建立成核机制。研究目标是1）研究通过逐层组装制备的多酰胺膜对矿物缩放率制备的聚酰胺膜的影响，2）采用液体相传感器电子显微镜，可视化和量化矿物质成核动力学对在NANMOINE尺度上的衍生尺度和3）衍生于多酰胺表面的矿物质成核动力学对纳米尺度的范围范围，并3）范围范围的范围。3）纳米级相互作用涉及比例形成，这是聚合物表面化学的函数。这项工作的结果将有助于对纳米级矿物膜相互作用的合理操纵，以防止在水性环境中对工程聚合物的矿物质缩放。该项目的教育和外向方面将将研究结果纳入本科和研究生课程材料，主持学生经营的纳米材料和水研讨会，并增强了代表性不足的学生参与研究的参与。这项奖项反映了NSF的法规任务，并被认为是通过基金会的知识优点和广泛的范围来评估的。