Papers Published

1. Jones, C.D. and Fidalgo, M. and Wiesner, M.R. and Barron, A.R., Alumina ultrafiltration membranes derived from carboxylate-alumoxane nanoparticles, Journal of Membrane Science, vol. 193 no. 2 (2001), pp. 175 - 184 [S0376-7388(01)00490-2] .
   (last updated on 2007/04/09)

   Abstract:
   The fabrication of asymmetric alumina ultrafiltration membranes using acetic acid surface stabilized alumina nanoparticles (A-alumoxanes) has been investigated. Contacting α-alumina supports with an aqueous solution of A-alumoxane (after firing to 1000°C) yields a defect free alumina membrane with a thickness of ca. 2μm. The alumoxane-derived membranes have a molecular weight cut-off in the range of 35,000-44,000gmol^-1, high porosity, and a permeability that is comparable to or greater than that of commercially available alumina membranes. SEM and AFM show that the surface of the alumoxane-derived membranes is quite smooth and contact angles show that the membrane is hydrophillic. A comparison with commercial alumina and polymer membranes, as well as those derived from sol-gel methods is presented. Copyright © 2001 Elsevier Science B.V.

   Keywords:
   Alumina;Acetic acid;Ultrafiltration;Fabrication;Molecular weight;Porosity;Scanning electron microscopy;Atomic force microscopy;