Method and apparatus for environmental phosphate/nitrate pollution removal using a selectively permeable molecularly imprinted polymer membrane

• US 20030059346A1
• Filed: 08/27/2002
• Published: 03/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Johns Hopkins University
• Original Assignee: Johns Hopkins University
• Inventors: Murray, George M.
• Application Number:
  US10/229,884
• Publication Number:
  US 20030059346A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/100
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2323/18 Pore-control agents or pore formers
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2325/021 Pore shapes
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2325/20 Specific permeability or cut-off range
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/00 Processes of separation using semi-permeable membranes, e.g. dialysis, osmosis or ultrafiltration; Apparatus, accessories or auxiliary operations specially adapted therefor separation of gases or vapours by diffusion B01D53/22
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 67/0006 by chemical reactions in-situ polymerisation, polycondensation, cross-linking or reaction for manufacturing composite membranes B01D69/125
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 67/003 by selective elimination of components, e.g. by leaching
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 69/02 characterised by their properties
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/28033 Membrane, sheet, cloth, pad, lamellar or mat
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/3057 Use of a templating or imprinting material molecularly imprinted polymers B01J20/268; filling pores of a substrate or matrix followed by the removal of the substrate or matrix
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/40 Semi-permeable membranes or partitions
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/173076 Nitrite or nitrate
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/255 including use of a solid sorbent, semipermeable membrane, or liquid extraction

Abstract

The invention comprises a selectively permeable molecularly imprinted polymer membrane for the removal of phosphate/nitrate anions from solutions. The polymeric membrane will be synthesized with ingredients for both selective binding and improved permeability. The selective binding site will be prepared by using ferric ion imprinting. Permeability is improved by using a polyester that associates with the metal ions; the polyester will be removed from the membrane by the same acid treatment used to remove the ferric ion. The polyester creates channels directing the ion migration to the imprinted sites, thus, increasing flux but maintaining selectivity.

Claims

1. A filter for removing phosphate from a medium comprising a permeable membrane comprising a molecularly imprinted polymer having selective binding sites for phosphate anions.

2. A filter for removing nitrate from a medium comprising a permeable membrane comprising a molecularly imprinted polymer having selective binding sites for nitrate anions.