Department of Inorganic Technology

Granting Departments:	KU Leuven, Belgium Department of Inorganic Technology
Study Programme/Specialization:	Chemistry and Chemical Technologies ( in Czech language , Double Degree )
Supervisor:	doc. Dr. Ing. Vlastimil Fíla prof. Ivo Vankelecom

Annotation

Gas membrane separation represents the perspective and energy-saving alternative with respect to the present separation processes (PSA, TSA, amine extraction, rectification, etc.). Most of the membranes industrially applied are based on polymeric materials having low permeability and/or selectivity. In the frame of this work the mixed matrix membranes combining the perspective properties of both, microporous and polymeric membranes, will be prepared and characterized. The microporous material e.g. ZIF-8, silicalite-1, ETS, FAU, TS-1, AFX, MOF, or their post-synthesis modified variants will be used as filler, and combined with polymeric matrix based on newly synthesized and/or industrially available polymers. The aim of this study is the preparation and characterization of membranes for different industrial applications. The target application will be defined upon agreement based on the actual research carried out in cooperating laboratories (e.g. processing of exhaust gases from power plants and other industrial processes, separation of CO2 from biogas, separation of H2 from streams containing CO2 and/or hydrocarbons, separation of hydrocarbons, etc.). In the frame of this work, the problematics of polymer-filler interactions and the development of new materials aiming to increase the thermal and chemical stability, selectivity, and permeability of prepared membranes will be studied.

Department of Organic Technology

Granting Departments:	KU Leuven, Belgium Department of Organic Technology
Study Programme/Specialization:	Chemistry and Chemical Technologies ( in Czech language , Double Degree )
Supervisor:	doc. Ing. Pavel Čapek, CSc.

Annotation

The work is aimed at the mathematical modelling of composite materials, the preparation of which includes the creation of a suspension of solid particles in a liquid mixture of a solvent and a polymer precursor, volume contraction of the suspension caused by evaporating the solvent and by forming a solid polymer matrix. The initial suspension is modelled using the random sequential addition of particles of various shapes. Then, the motion of particles of the filler in the shrinking suspension is simulated. Each model microstructure and the corresponding microstructure of the real composite material sample are characterised using statistical measures and these measures are subsequently compared with each other for the quality of the model to be evaluated. The real microstructures are deduced from digital images of their polished sections that are observed using a scanning electron microscope.