IP Library Granted Patent US 12,330,144
Granted Patent B2
US 12,330,144 · App. 18/237,326 · Granted Jun 17, 2025

Reactive membrane networks for CWA protection

Inventors: Francesco Fornasiero (Oakland, CA); Edmond Y. Lau (Dublin, CA); Carlos A. Valdez (San Ramon, CA)
Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
B01J35/59B01J35/647B01J35/651B01J35/653B01J35/657B01J37/0215
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,330,144
App. No.
18/237,326
Granted
Jun 17, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method of forming a chemically reactive membrane includes applying a first solution to a structure, the first solution includes a macrocyclic ligand having electron-donating ligands and a side functional group for crosslinking, crosslinking a plurality of the macrocyclic ligand to form a first network of crosslinked macrocyclic ligands, and applying a second solution to the structure, the second solution comprising a catalytic center. Each catalytic center complexes with the electron-donating ligands of each macrocyclic ligand to form catalytic sites in the first network of crosslinked macrocyclic ligands.

Claims (20)

1. A method of forming a membrane, the method comprising:

applying a first solution to a structure, the first solution comprising a macrocyclic ligand having electron-donating ligands and a side functional group for crosslinking;

crosslinking a plurality of the macrocyclic ligand to form a first network of crosslinked macrocyclic ligands; and

applying a second solution to the structure, the second solution comprising a catalytic center, wherein each catalytic center complexes with the electron-donating ligands of each macrocyclic ligand to form catalytic sites in the first network of crosslinked macrocyclic ligands.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the macrocyclic ligand is selected from the group consisting of: cyclen, cyclam, porphyrin, and dodecane tetraacetic acid (DOTA).

3. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the macrocyclic ligand is a tetrafunctional macrocyclic molecule for chelating a catalytic center.

4. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the electron-donating ligands include an electron-donor atom selected from the group consisting of: nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur.

5. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the catalytic center has a coordination atom number of 3 or greater.

6. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the catalytic center is a metal cation selected from the group consisting of: zinc, copper, iron, nickel, cobalt, and zirconium.

7. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the functional group is selected from the group consisting of: an isocyanate, an isocyanate counter monomer, an isothiocyanate, an azide monomer, and a terminal alkyne-displaying monomer.

8. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the structure is selected from the group consisting of: a substrate, a material, a fiber, a permeable layer, a plastic film, and a silicon wafer.

9. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein a temperature for the crosslinking is room temperature.

10. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein a duration of time for the crosslinking is less than one minute.

11. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the structure is removed after formation of the chemically reactive membrane.

12. The method as recited in claim 1 , comprising,

applying a third solution to the structure, the third solution comprising a second macrocyclic ligand having electron-donating ligands and a second functional group for crosslinking;

crosslinking a plurality of the second macrocyclic ligand to form a second network of crosslinked second macrocyclic ligands; and

applying a fourth solution to the structure, the fourth solution comprising a second catalytic center, wherein each second catalytic center complexes with the electron-donating ligands of each second macrocyclic ligand to form second catalytic sites in the second network that are a different type than the catalytic sites in the first network.

13. The method as recited in claim 12 , wherein the functional group and the second functional group are different.

14. The method as recited in claim 12 , wherein the catalytic center of the first network and the second catalytic center of the second network are different.

Assignments (2)
CONFIRMATORY LICENSE (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS) Recorded Nov 30, 2023
From: LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL SECURITY, LLC
To: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Reel/Frame 065729/0545 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 5, 2023
From: FORNASIERO, FRANCESCO; LAU, EDMOND Y.; VALDEZ, CARLOS A.
To: LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL SECURITY, LLC
Reel/Frame 064798/0989 →
Continuity (2)
Division 17009582 · Sep 1, 2020
Related Publication 20240033720A1 · Feb 1, 2024
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