Thermally rearranged polymeric membranes for gas separation

THERMALLY REARRANGED POLYMERIC MEMBRANES FOR
GAS SEPARATION





WANG HUAN








NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE
2013

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THERMALLY REARRANGED POLYMERIC MEMBRANES FOR
GAS SEPARATION


by
WANG HUAN
(B.Eng. (Hons.)), National University of Singapore

A THESIS SUBMITTED
FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICAL & BIOMOLECULAR
ENGINEERING



NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE
2013
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DECLARATION

I hereby declare that this thesis is my original work and it has been written by me in its
entirety. I have duly acknowledged all the sources of information, which have been used
in the thesis.

This thesis has also not been submitted for any degree in any university previously.


Student: Wang Huan
Signature:
Date: 05, Apr, 2013

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Completing a Ph.D degree is never an easy job. After 4-year learning and working, I am
approaching the successful end of this challenging task. Without the help, support,
encouragement and guidance of the following important people, my dream of being a
doctor will never come true.

I sincerely thank my supervisors Professor Tai-Shung Chung and Professor Donald R.
Paul for their supervision, guidance and patience throughout my Ph.D study. I am
grateful that I had the chance to work with these two knowledgeable membrane scientists
and to work in a well-equipped research laboratory. Professor Chung and Professor Paul
have provided me with numerous valuable advice and great encouragement whenever I
encountered difficulties. Their attitude towards science and logical research has greatly
influenced both my research and my life.

My appreciation also goes to my mentors Dr. Songlin Liu and Dr. Bee Ting Low. They
opened the window for my research and they let me understand what a scientific work
should be. Dr. Low was always very helpful when I consulted her about my problems,
though later she was not assigned as my mentor. She has not been only a very responsible
mentor but also a precious friend who I can share my joy and sorrow with. Dr. Liu is full
of knowledge about polymer and membrane science. He gave me lots of guidance in my
research directions. He taught me how to design an experiment and how to study a topic
deeply. Their dedication to me makes a far-reaching significance to my whole life.