AIMs: a new strategy to control physical aging and gas transport in mixed-matrix membranes

Abstract

The effect of controlling interactions between the components in a mixed-matrix membrane at the molecular level has been explored.

Physical aging in glassy mixed matrix membranes; tuning particle interaction for mechanically robust nanocomposite films

“…10 Previously we have measured nanocomposite interaction through viscosity changes. 31,36 The matrix polymer largely determines mechanical properties of nanocomposites; however additive choice also has a significant effect on the properties of composite films. For the same additive, PIM-1 and PTMSP formed much weaker and more brittle composites than with Matrimid.…”

Stabilization of gas transport properties of PTMSP with porous aromatic framework: Effect of annealing

“…The effect of PAF-1 fillers on the physical aging of membrane materials was studied by measuring gas permeability coefficients for 100-150 m thick, dense films upon their storage at ambient conditions for 240-365 days [24][25][26][27]. In this work, stabilization of gas transport properties of PTMSP was studied by using 30-40 µm dense films loaded with PAF-11 fillers.…”

“…One of the most efficient methods to recover the gas transport characteristics of aged PTMSP is concerned with the soaking of membranes in "poor" solvents (for example, methanol or ethanol) when the fractional free volume is restored upon polymer swelling and desorption of solvent molecules [16,19,20,23]. However, the recent breakthrough research in this area [24][25][26][27] involves the use of a new type of fillers, porous aromatic frameworks (PAF) [28]. The introduction of PAF into highly permeable glassy polymers improves their gas permeability characteristics and markedly suppresses the physical aging due to reduced macrochains mobility as a result of the partial intrusion of polymer segments into porous fillers.…”

Application of computational methods to the design and characterisation of porous molecular materials

“…In addition, in contrast to extended solids these materials could be solution processed which is a desirable property for the fabrication of composite materials such as mixed matrix polymer membranes. 13,14 In addition, discrete cage molecules can be assembled via a modular synthetic approach providing a facile pathway to a b As with conventional framework materials, PMMs can be described using quantum mechanical methods including density functional theory (DFT). 24 These methods are, potentially, highly accurate, as long as care is taken to properly account for dispersion interactions, 25,26 and can elucidate geometric and energetic properties resulting from the molecular electronic structure.…”