The membrane science and technology team of BJUT, represented by Prof. Shulan Ji and others, is one of the earliest laboratories in China to have engaged in research on chemical engineering and membrane materials. The team is supported by the Beijing Key Laboratory of Green Catalysis and Separation, and focused on the research of membrane preparation, membrane performance and membrane fouling control. The team conducts fundamental and application research on various membranes and membrane modules, such as pervaporation, gas separation, nanofiltration, reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration, sensors, and proton fuel cells. In addition, the team has developed the theory of membrane fouling control and membrane cleaning, and has developed corresponding membrane cleaning technology.

The team members have overseas scientific research experience and an interdisciplinary approach, combining various disciplines such as chemical engineering, environmental science and engineering, materials science and optoelectronics. The team cooperates closely with many domestic and foreign colleges and universities in scientific research.

To address current problems such as climate issues caused by CO₂ emissions, water shortages, the exhaustion of traditional energy sources, and the lack of medical resources in many parts of the world, the team has proposed using low-energy and sustainable membrane technology to capture and convert CO₂, purify wastewater, to develop safe and green energy and monitor human health in real-time. They have proposed a new nanoparticle solution-processing strategy to fabricate membrane. Some of the developed membranes have completed pilot tests. The team has published more than 500 papers in academic journals, including international journals such as Nature Nanotechnology, Nature Water, Advanced Materials, Angewandte Chemie, Journal of Membrane Science, AIChE Journal, Chemical Engineering Journal, as well as having published four monographs. The team has also acquired more than 50 patents.

Zwitterion nanofiltration membrane modules

ZIF-8 nanofiltration membrane modules