Polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIMs): High free volume polymers for membrane applications

Polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIMs) are glassy polymers which possess high free volume and high internal surface area as a consequence of their relatively inflexible, contorted macromolecular backbones.  They comprise fused ring sequences interrupted by spiro-centres or other sites of contortion.  The archetypal solution-processable PIM, referred to as PIM-1, forms membranes that are of interest for a variety of separation processes, including gas separations (e.g., CO2 recovery) and organophilic liquid separations (e.g., bioalcohol recovery).  In gas separation, PIM-1 contributed to the revision of the upper bounds of performance by Robeson in 2008.  If high free volume polymers are to achieve commercial success in membrane applications, the most significant issue to address is that of ageing, which leads to a reduction in permeability over time.

 

In recent years there has been significant research on PIMs aimed at tailoring selectivity, enhancing permeability and improving the ageing behaviour.  This includes (1) new polymer synthesis, (2) chemical post-modification of precursor polymers, (3) thermal or ultraviolet treatment of membranes, (4) formation of polymer blends and (5) the addition of inorganic materials, carbons (activated carbons, nanotubes, graphene), metal-organic frameworks or purely organic materials, to form mixed matrix membranes.

Miércoles, Enero 27, 2016 - 11:00
Peter M. Budd
School of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK.
Sala 338
Seminario