Microporous polymers containing tertiary amine functionality for gas separation membrane fabrication

Malpass-Evans, Richard 2014. Microporous polymers containing tertiary amine functionality for gas separation membrane fabrication. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University. Item availability restricted.

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Abstract

This research reported in this thesis is based on the synthesis of novel polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIMs) with the aim of fabricating membranes for gas separation applications. PIMs are composed of rigid and awkwardly-shaped monomeric segments which lack the conformational and rotational freedom needed to pack space efficiently. As a result these polymers display high BET surface areas and display excellent gas permeabilities when solution-cast into films which can be used as gas separation membranes. This thesis describes the synthesis of a range of aromatic diamine, tetraamine, dianhydride, and dicarboxylic acid monomers that conform to the PIM design concept, featuring rigid and contorted architectures. These monomers were then used to synthesise five classes of polymer featuring tertiary amine functionality. Structure-property relationships were established between these polymers and BET surface area measurements. Polymers that displayed adequate film forming properties were also evaluated by our collaborators at The Institute of Membrane Technology for their gas transport parameters. Chapter 6 describes the synthesis of a new class of polymer, Tröger's Base PIMs, featuring a novel polymerisation reaction using chemistry first reported 127 years ago. One of these polymers, DMEA.TB, displays a BET surface area of 1028 m2/g which is the highest recorded for any soluble polymer to date. DMEA.TB places gas permeation data for technologically important gas pairs far over the present Robeson upper bound and has unrivalled potential to separate mixtures containing hydrogen. Chapter 7 deals with quaternerisation and subsequent ion exchange of selected Tröger's Base polymers. Chapter 8 discusses the synthesis of three novel polyimides using highly rigid and contorted ethanoanthracene monomers containing methyl groups that restrict rotation around polymer segments. These polymers display only moderate gas permeation characteristics and possess BET surface areas of up to 694 m2/g. Chapter 9 describes the synthesis of a new class of zwitterionic polysquaraines however, these polymers were shown to be non-porous due to strong ionic/hydrogen bonding. Chapter 10 describes the synthesis of polybenzimidazoles using the PIM design concept but it was found that extensive hydrogen bonding reduces free volume, forming non porous solids. Chapter 11 describes the synthesis of novel polypyrrolones with surface areas of up to 284 m2/g however, film formation was not possible with these materials. Chapter 12 features a brief investigation onto the cross-linking of a Tröger's Base membrane using hydrolysed PIM-1 as polyanionic counterion.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Chemistry
Subjects:	Q Science > QD Chemistry
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	30 March 2016
Last Modified:	19 Oct 2023 12:52
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/65421

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