Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Xianwen Mao

Trevor Alan Hatton

Yinying Ren

T Alan Hatton

Karen K Gleason

Paul Brown

Gregory C Rutledge

Andong Liu

Wenda Tian

Margarida Fernandes Da Costa Gomes

An asymmetric system containing a first conductive polymer modified with a redox active moiety and a second conductive polymer modified with a surfactant is used for the separation of organic compounds from aqueous solutions. The asymmetric system has complementary hydrophobicity tunability in response to electrochemical modulations. For example, both materials are hydrophobic in their respective neutral states, therefore exhibiting affinity toward organic compounds. Application of a mild potential drives the desorption of the organic compounds and regeneration of the materials. The asymmetric system can be used in a cyclic fashion, through repeated electrical discharge or shorting of the two electrodes to program the capture of organics from a feed solution, and application of a potential to stimulate the release of the adsorbed organics.

Asymmetric electrochemical systems and methods

Disclosed are capacitors containing surface active ionic liquids, and methods of use. The capacitors have high capacitance and function over broad ranges of temperature, and are particularly appropriate for high-temperature (&#x2dc;200&#xb0; C.) applications.

High-temperature supercapacitors containing surface active ionic liquids

Aspects described herein relate generally to adsorbent systems and methods for capturing and/or separating organic species (e.g., uncharged organic species) from mixtures with water.

Adsorbents, systems, and methods for separation of organic species from water

Disclosed are compositions of electroactive polymers (EAPs) having improved performance stability. In the EAP compositions, a cross-linked polymer is deposited onto the surface of the EAP by vapor-deposition methods. Upon contact with an aqueous solution (e.g., an aqueous electrolyte solution), the vapor-deposited polymeric network becomes a hydrogel that encapsulates the EAPs. By modulating precursors and vapor deposition conditions, the mesh size of the resultant hydrogel coatings can be controlled to accommodate the key species that interact with the EAPs.

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Xianwen Mao