Prof. Suzana Nunes - a Honorary Member of European Membrane Society
Professor Suzana Nunes has been awarded an Honorary Membership by the European Membrane Society at Euromembrane 2024 in Prague. She was recognized for her remarkable work in Education, Science, and Technology in the area of Membranes and Membrane Processes.
Lithium Recovery via Self-Assembled Channels - Nature Communications
2023 L'Oreal-UNESCO Women in Science Award
Prof. Suzana Nunes is awarded 2023 L'Oreal-UNESCO Women in Science Award, for her outstanding work in the field of Chemistry.
Crude Oil Separation with Membranes - Science
NPM Group
Facilities
Publications
Block Copolymer Particles With Gated Nanopores - Nature Communications
About Our Research
Overview
The Nanostructured Polymeric Membranes group at KAUST works on synthesis and functionalization of new polymers and copolymers and their manufacture into membranes with controlled morphology for application in water purification, biological, chemical and pharmaceutical separations and bioelectrochemical processes.
For synthesis and functionalization, controlled polymerization, click chemistry and silane-based modification are the methods used in the lab.
For the membrane manufacture as flat-sheet, hollow fiber and porous particles fundamental aspects of thermodynamics and rheology of polymer solutions, self-assembly of block copolymer and mechanisms of phase separation are investigated. Green solvents, different methods of polymer crosslink in bulk, surface and pore functionalization are being explored. Multilayer membranes are prepared by spin-coating, dip-coating and interfacial polymerization, as well as co-extrusion of bilayer hollow fibers.
The lab uses different methods of scanning and transmission electron microscopy, including cryo, focus ion beam, atomic force microscopy for morphological characterization, thermal analysis, porosimetry, infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance for polymer and chemical characterization. The lab also uses synchrotron facilities for small angle x-ray scattering and time-resolved self-assembly characterization
Meet Our Team