Functionalization of POSS nanoparticles and fabrication of block copolymer nanocomposite membranes for CO2 separation

Abstract

a b s t r a c tSynthesis of methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) functionalized polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) nanoparticles via epoxy ring opening reaction in three different solvents are outlined in this manuscript. The nanoparticles are used as filler for commercial poly(ether-block-amide) multiblock copolymer PEBAX Ò MH 1657. The influence of two novel structural features of the synthesized nanofillers on the gas separation performance of nanocomposite membranes are studied on the examples of CO 2 /N 2 and CO 2 /H 2 gas pairs. These are -(i) presence of a dimethylsilyl group as spacer between the cage structure of POSS and the PEG ligand and (ii) formation of a tetrahydrofuran (THF) complex. While ideal selectivity characteristics for the matrix polymer are not significantly affected by the presence of fillers, the single gas permeability (determined by time-lag method) is remarkably increased in both cases.

Synthesis and Crosslinking of Polyether-Based Main Chain Benzoxazine Polymers and Their Gas Separation Performance

“…Permeabilities of four pure gases (H 2 , N 2 , O 2 , CO 2 , and CH 4 ) were measured by a pressure increase time-lag apparatus at 30 °C [20,21,22,23,24,25]. Permeability ( P ), diffusivity ( D ), solubility ( S ), and selectivity ( α i/j ) for gases i and j were determined under steady state conditions by the following equations:P=D·S=Vpl(pp2−pp1)ARTΔt[pf−(pp2+pp1)2] D=l26θ αi/j=PiPj=DiSiDjSj where Vp was the constant permeate volume, R was the gas constant, l was the film thickness, A was the effective area of the membrane, Δt was the time for the permeate pressure increase from p p 1 to p p 2 , p f was the feed pressure, and θ was the time-lag.…”

The effect of amine substituent chain length on POSS/Polysulfone mixed matrix membrane

“…Besides, the smaller the particle size, the better the adhesion towards the polymeric matrix as it provides a larger interfacial area for bonding to occur [21]. Moreover, its ability to be functionalised into different variations has sparked an interest to develop MMMs with improved properties [22]. Most importantly, its separated, non-aggregated, well-defined size and structure induces good dispersion in various polymers [20,[23][24][25] The incorporation of POSS in polymeric matrixes can be done via two approaches which are chemical cross-linking and physical blending.…”

A thermodynamic study of CO2 sorption and thermal transition of PolyActive™ under elevated pressure

“…The crystallinity of the PEG blocks of these polymers depends on the length and content of the two different sorts of blocks. [22][23][24][25][26] We have used differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to study the thermal transitions of the different blocks of the aforementioned multi-block copolymers. The method provides appreciable assistance to correlate the sorption and diffusion of gases with other physical properties of the polymers.…”