Polymeric Membranes – in gas- and liquid-phase separation

Volkan Filiz

Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon

Polymeric Membranes – in gas- and liquid-phase separations

The main research focus at the Institute of Membrane Research at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon is the development of membranes for liquid and gas phase separation. Water shortages, climate change and energy transition: separation of substances plays a vital role in these challenges. We help provide solutions to these global problems at the Institute of Membrane Research by developing innovative membranes and membrane processes. This involves a holistic, interdisciplinary approach: it includes developing new materials, processing these materials into membranes as well as constructing pilot plants in which these systems are made ready for implementation..

Specifically, the synthesis and characterization of tailor-made polymers for membrane applications is in the foreground, while the use of state of the art methods for fabrication of membranes with outstanding separation performances (e.g., in separation of CO₂ in gas streams, or protein separation in liquid phase) is the challenge that our Institute deals with. The focus of the talk will be polymers of intrinsic microporosity.

About Speaker

Volkan Filiz is currently the head of the Department “Microporous Polymers” at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon in the Institute of Membrane Research under the supervision of Prof. Volker Abetz. He has earned his B.S. and M.S. degrees in chemistry at the University of Hamburg, Germany and received in 2009 from the Institute of Physical Chemistry his Ph.D. in chemistry under the supervision of Prof. Stephan Förster. The research topic was polymersomes for drug delivery and targeting. His research interests now include the synthesis of new monomers and tailor-made polymers for membrane applications in gas- and liquid-phase separation.

He is currently also involved in teaching at the University of Hamburg and is registered for habilitation at the University of Kiel.