Author ORCID Identifier
0000-0003-1255-1240
Document Type
Dissertation
Date of Award
8-31-2024
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Engineering - (Ph.D.)
Department
Civil and Environmental Engineering
First Advisor
Wen Zhang
Second Advisor
Taha F. Marhaba
Third Advisor
Dibakar Datta
Fourth Advisor
Zhiyong Jason Ren
Fifth Advisor
Lucia Rodriguez-Freire
Abstract
Multifunctional, modular, and scalable water treatment technologies that operate without chemical additives are crucial for addressing global water pollution challenges. While traditional membrane-based separation processes are crucial for ensuring clean water supplies, they primarily focus on pollutant removal rather than on the upcycling of pollutants into valuable resources. Electrified membrane filtration presents a robust alternative, utilizing minimal or no chemical additives and harnessing electrical power to directly reduce contaminants or produce reactive oxidants or reductants on-site.
This dissertation is dedicated to the development of innovative electrochemically reactive membranes designed to address three major challenges: (1) the engineering of electrocatalysts with optimized electronic structures, tailored reaction microenvironments, and refined electrode interfaces; (2) the electrocatalytic upcycling of target waste streams into value-added products and product separation by electrified membrane, thereby aiding in environmental pollution control and nutrient recovery; and (3) the design of flow-type electrified membrane electrolyzer that ensure high efficiency, atomic economy, and economic feasibility. These advancements aim to enhance the efficacy and sustainability of water treatment systems.
Recommended Citation
Gao, Jianan, "Electrified membrane for water treatment and resource recovery: advancing multiscale strategies in gas-involving reactions" (2024). Dissertations. 1773.
https://digitalcommons.njit.edu/dissertations/1773
Included in
Energy Systems Commons, Environmental Chemistry Commons, Environmental Engineering Commons, Materials Science and Engineering Commons, Membrane Science Commons
