(3bi) Application of Nanoporous Materials In Crystallization, Membrane Separations, and Catalysis

My research interests reside at the nexus of nucleation phenomena, interfacial science, and the performance of catalytic and separations materials. Recent studies on crystal growth phenomenon stress the importance of the competition between the energetically favorable internal environment of a crystal and the energetically unfavorable interface between a crystal and its surroundings in determining crystallization outcome. These studies indicate manipulation of the crystallization environment – by varying pressure, temperature, solvents, additives, nucleation surface, size confinement, and other parameters – can alter crystallization outcomes in a rational manner. The results of these studies dovetail with those from colloids studies, which highlight the importance of interfacial energies in determining the properties of colloidal systems. I intend to exploit my understanding of nucleation phenomenon and my multidisciplinary background to improve the performance of crystalline catalysts and membranes, and to reduce membrane fouling owing to crystals and aggregates.

This poster describes the effects of size confinement, temperature, and tailor-made additives on the nucleation, polymorphism and stability of molecular crystals in nanometer size confinement. One of the sources of size confinement, nanoporous polymer monoliths generated by selectively etching well-aligned cylindrical cores from di- and tri-block polymers, exhibited versatility that inspired me to broaden my interests for my postdoctoral work to include applications of nanoporous materials in separations and catalysis. Consequently, the poster also describes the fabrication of nanoporous ceramic/organic dendrimer hybrids and their use in membrane and catalysis applications. Collectively, this poster highlights my core expertise in crystallization and supporting background in polymer science, synthetic chemistry, fabrication and applications of nanoporous materials, membrane separations, and catalysis.

Thesis: Hamilton, B.D. The Influence of Nanoscale Size Confinement on the Phase Behavior of Molecular Organic Crystals. Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 2009.

Thesis Advisors: Michael D. Ward, NYU; Marc A. Hillmyer, University of Minnesota

Post-Doctoral Research Advisor: Daniel F. Shantz, Texas A&M University