Organic-Inorganic Nanocomposite Polymer Electrolyte Membranes

Membrane based electrochemical processes have become essential parts of the hi-tech areas such as biotechnology, nano-technology, water treatment,energy devices such as fuel cells. These processes are economically viable due to low energy requirements, facile scale-up and ecofriendly nature. Advances in membrane technology, especially in novel membrane forming materials are very urgent to develop membrane based energy intensive and cost effective electrochemical technologies. Organic-inorganic nanocomposite polymer electrolyte membrane contains nanosized inorganic building blocks in organic polymer by molecular level of hybridization. This architecture has opened the possibility to combine in a single solid both the attractive properties of a mechanically and thermally stable inorganic backbone and the specific chemical reactivity, dielectric, ductility, flexibility, and processability of the organic polymer. This novel type of membranes have the potential applications for electrochemical energy devices, electrodialytic desalination of seawater and brackish water, separation of inorganics from uncharged organic, desalting of edibles such as cheese, whey, sugarcane, fruit juice, etc