The effect of carbon nanotube (CNT) functionalization in altering the properties of epoxy-CNT composites is presented. The presence of functional groups effectively influenced the colloidal behavior of CNTs in the precursor epoxy resin and the hardener triethylenetetramine (TETA), which affected the synthesis process and eventually the interfacial interactions between the polymer matrix and the CNTs. The physical, thermal, and electrical properties of the composites exhibited strong dependence on the nature of functionalization. At a 0.5-wt% CNT loading, the enhancement in tensile strength was found to be 7.2%, 11.2%, 11.4%, and 14.2% for raw CNTs, carboxylated CNTs, octadecyl amide-functionalized CNTs, and hydroxylated CNTs, respectively. Glass transition temperatures (T _g) also varied with the functionalization, and composites prepared using hydroxylated CNTs showed the maximum enhancement of 34%.

Pervaporation (PV) has been considered as one of the most active and promising areas in membrane technologies in separating close boiling or azeotropic liquid mixtures, heat sensitive biomaterials, water or organics from its mixtures that are indispensable constituents for various important chemical and bio-separations. In the PV process, the membrane plays the most pivotal role and is of paramount importance in governing the overall efficiency. This article evaluates and collaborates the current research towards the development of next generation nanomaterials (NMs) and embedded polymeric membranes with regard to its synthesis, fabrication and application strategies, challenges and future prospects.

The increasing demand for global energy consumption expedites major opportunities for the innovation of green energy technologies. Addressing the issue of sustainable energy is highly crucial for societies in order to maintain secure and balanced future progress in the economy and ecologically. Recently, there has been a growing interest in the development of improved and efficient sustainable energy technologies that are capable of reducing the global environmental footprint. The growing knowledge of hybrid techniques contributes to a decrease in the use of environmental resources while generating energy. However, various factors including the availability of natural resources, and different economic policies restrict the development of sustainable energies. Water and energy are the two major aspects for progressing towards a sustainable future. Recently, membrane-based technologies have begun to play an essential role in the advancement of sustainable energy and water demands. In this review article, the opportunities for membrane technologies dealing with water and energy sustainability have been analyzed.