Polymer Particles in Membrane Technology

Polymer particles have attracted great interest because they combine the advantages of particles (i.e., small size with increased surface area, flexible morphology, compartmentalization of a small, discrete quantity of matter with respect to the surrounding environment) and polymer (such as tuneable physical and chemical properties and target function). Based on these properties, polymer particles now also play a key role in membrane technology. Polymer micro and nanoparticles as carriers of functional ingredients (flavours, fragrances, enzymes, bacteria, biocides, catalysts, drugs, monomers, nutrients, colours, etc.) have been produced via membrane technology as an advanced manufacturing process. Moreover, polymer particles are used as fillers and additives to bulk materials and coatings to obtain membranes with new or improved properties. The focus of this Special Issue is to highlight the role of polymer particles in membrane technology ranging from examples of polymer micro-nanoparticles with tailored properties obtained via membrane technology toward the production of polymer particle-loaded membranes. Authors are invited to submit their latest results concerning novel membrane-based methods or innovative strategies for the production of advanced polymer particles via membrane technology. The use of new materials and/or membrane fabrication/modification methods for the design of polymer particle-loaded membranes with new functions and properties will be included. Additional topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the applications of polymer particles or polymer particle-loaded membranes for sensors, controlled release, catalysis, and separations/purifications.