Nanofiller-tuned microporous polymer molecular sieves for energy and environmental processes
File(s)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Microporous polymers with molecular sieving properties are promising for a wide range of applications in gas storage, molecular separations, catalysis, and energy storage. In this study, we report highly permeable and selective molecular sieves fabricated from crosslinked polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIMs) incorporated with highly dispersed nanoscale fillers, including nonporous inorganic nanoparticles and microporous metal-organic framework (MOF) nanocrystals. We demonstrate that the combination of covalent crosslinking of microporous polymers via controlled thermal oxidation and tunable incorporation of nanofillers results in high performance membranes with substantially enhanced permeability and molecular sieving selectivity, as demonstrated in separation of gas molecules, for example, air separation (O2/N2), CO2 separation from natural gas (CH4) or flue gas (CO2/N2), and H2 separation from N2 and CH4. After ageing over two years, these nanofiller-tuned molecular sieves became more selective and less permeable but maintained permeability levels that are still two orders of magnitude higher than conventional gas separation membranes.
Date Issued
2016-01-07
Date Acceptance
2015-11-25
Citation
Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 2016, 4, pp.270-279
ISSN
2050-7496
Publisher
Royal Society of Chemistry
Start Page
270
End Page
279
Journal / Book Title
Journal of Materials Chemistry A
Volume
4
Copyright Statement
© The Royal Society of Chemistry 2015
Sponsor
Imperial College London
Subjects
Science & Technology
Physical Sciences
Technology
Chemistry, Physical
Energy & Fuels
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Chemistry
Materials Science
MIXED-MATRIX MEMBRANES
FRAMEWORK ZIF-90 MEMBRANE
GAS-SEPARATION MEMBRANES
INTRINSIC MICROPOROSITY
NANOCOMPOSITE MEMBRANES
PERMEATION PARAMETERS
HYDROGEN SELECTIVITY
TRANSPORT PROPERTIES
CROSS-LINKING
PERFORMANCE
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2015-11-25