The National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded a $281,247 Project Grant under the Engineering program (CFDA 47.041) to the University of Notre Dame DU Lac's Notre Dame Research Division, doing business as the Office of Research. The grant, effective from September 1, 2024 to August 31, 2027, supports collaborative research to develop a molecular-level understanding of how polymer membrane performance, including selectivity and long-term stability, is affected by bromination and chlorination.
The research aims to explore the potential of alternative halogenated polymers, such as chloro-polymers and bromo-polymers, as robust membrane materials for energy-efficient chemical separation technologies. The project will design, synthesize, and characterize new halogenated polymer materials and use advanced experiments and thermodynamic models to correlate their molecular structure with membrane selectivity and long-term stability. Successful completion of this work is expected to enable the design of polymer membranes with previously unattainable performance, addressing critical challenges in areas of strategic importance for the U.S. economy, welfare, and national safety.