J. Douglas Way

Professor

BS, MS, PhD - University of Colorado, Boulder

Research Description

The central theme to all of my research projects is the application, study, and synthesis of new materials such as microporous oxides (ceramics and zeolites), metals, and ionic polymers for use in novel separation processes. The separation processes currently under study in my laboratory include organic and inorganic membranes, catalytic membrane reactors, and membranes for PEM fuel cells, applied to energy, environmental and chemical processing applications.

There is growing industrial interest in the use of synthetic membranes for gas and liquid separations. In our current work, we are trying to understand the factors such as pore size and surface chemistry that control the transport of small molecules in chemically modified mesoporous membranes and dense metallic and polymer membranes. Our approach includes both experiments, transport modeling, as well as molecular simulations (quantum mechanics, Monte-Carlo, molecular dynamics) to investigate the molecular basis for separations in micropores. We are currently fabricating both silane modified mesoporous ceramic membranes and mixed matrix membranes such as zeolite filled dense polymers. Depending on the conditions, these materials can separate by molecular sieving where small molecules can be separated from mixtures of larger ones or can exhibit reverse selectivity where a larger, heavier molecule can permeate faster than a smaller penetrant. Examples include the separation of butane from methane or CO₂ from nitrogen.

selected Publications

Jha, P. and J. D. Way, “Carbon dioxide selective mixed matrix membranes development using rubbery substituted polyphosphazene,” J. Membrane Science, 324(1-2), 151-161 (2008).

Roa, F. Gade, S. K., Thoen, P. M., Way, J, D., DeVoss, S., and G. Alptekin, “Palladium-Copper and Palladium-Gold Alloy Composite Membranes for Hydrogen Separations,” in Inorganic Membranes for Energy and Fuels Applications, Springer, New York, 2008.

Roa, F. and J. D. Way, “The Effect of Air Exposure on Palladium-Copper Composite Membranes,” Applied Surface Science, 240(1-4), 85-104 (2005).

Paglieri, S. N. and J. D. Way, “Innovations in Pd Membrane Research,” Separation and Purification Methods, 31(1), 1-169 (2002).

McCarley, K. C. and J. D. Way, “Development of a Model Surface Flow Membrane by Modification of Porous g-Alumina with Octadecyltrichlorosilane,” Separation and Purification Technology, 25(1-3), 195-210 (2001).

Collins, J. P. and J. D. Way, "Preparation and Characterization of Palladium-Ceramic Composite Membranes," Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 32, 3006-3013 (1993).