Operando Surface-Enhanced Raman-Scattering (SERS) for Probing CO2 Facilitated Transport Mechanisms of Amine-Functionalized Polymeric Membranes

Multi-Functional Polymer Membranes Enable Integrated CO2 Capture and Conversion in a Single, Continuous-Flow Membrane Reactor under Mild Conditions

Herein, we present a membrane-based system designed to capture CO2 from dilute mixtures and convert the captured CO2 into value-added products in a single integrated process operated continuously under mild conditions. Specifically, we demonstrate that quaternized poly(4-vinylpyridine) (P4VP) membranes are selective CO2 separation membranes that are also catalytically active for cyclic carbonate synthesis from the cycloaddition of CO2 to epichlorohydrin. We further demonstrate that quaternized P4VP membranes can integrate CO2 capture, including from dilute mixtures down to 0.1 kPa of CO2, with CO2 conversion to cyclic carbonates at 57 °C and atmospheric pressure. The catalytic membrane acts as both the CO2 capture and conversion medium, providing an energy-efficient alternative to sorbent-based capture, compression, transport, and storage. The membrane is also potentially tunable for the conversion of CO2 to a variety of products, including chemicals and fuels not limited to cyclic carbonates, which would be a transformative shift in carbon capture and utilization technology.

Synthesis of PVDF membrane loaded with wrinkled Au NPs for sensitive detection of R6G

A novel SERS membrane is synthesized by combining metal lattice and surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) technology. Since R6G is a carcinogenic and harmful pollutant, and traditional detection methods have many drawbacks and have research value, this paper selects R6G as the detection target. The SERS substrates are synthesized by loading Au nanoparticles (Au NPs) on the surface of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane. The Au NPs are synthesized through a controllable hydrothermal method. The synthesized AuNPs are covered by some gold particles, forming a fold pattern. Finally, the synthesized structure is immobilized on the surface of the PVDF membrane by the phase inversion method. It is suggested that the prepared Au NPs@PVDF membrane exhibits adjustable cavity structure, strong plasmon coupling, tunable magnetic plasmon resonance, prominent SERS performances. The prepared Au NPs@PVDF membrane showed sensitive SERS activity, good mechanical strength and reusability, expanding the application field of SERS detection. Overall, this study establishes a novel technique for the synthesis of SERS membrane with excellent SERS property and expands the application field of SERS detection.