Aromatic polysulfone copolymers for gas separation membrane applications

New polysulfone (PSF) copolymers from bis(4-fluorophenyl)sulfone and based on equimolar mixtures of the rigid/compact naphthalene moiety with bulky connectors from bisphenols: tetramethyl, hexafluoro, and tetramethyl hexafluoro, respectively, were synthesized to measure significant physical properties related to the gas separation field. The flexible and transparent polymer dense films TM-NPSF, HF-NPSF and TMHF-NPSF show high glass transition temperatures T_g  230 °C and high decomposition temperatures T_D  400 °C (10 wt.% loss, in air). Free volume cavity sizes, as determined by PALS, are in the range of 94–139 Å³. Their gas permeability and selectivity combinations of properties, measured at 35 °C and 2 atm, are very attractive since their selectivity for the pair of gases H₂/CH₄, O₂/N₂, and CO₂/CH₄ are higher than those for commercial PSF membranes, having similar or superior permeability coefficients for the most permeable gases H₂, O₂, and CO₂. Especially important is the tetramethyl naphthalene polysulfone TM-NPSF membrane which reports selectivities for H₂/CH₄, O₂/N₂ and CO₂/CH₄ of 122, 7.6 and 38 with corresponding permeability coefficients (in Barrers) of 17 for H₂, 1.2 for O₂, and 5.2 for CO₂. These results are interpreted in terms of free volume size and glass transition temperature together with the respective contribution of gas solubility and diffusivity to the overall selectivity coefficients.     

A computational study and fragment analysis of the back-bonding in Titanocenyl Complexes containing a five-member L,L′-cyclic ligand, L,L′ = O,O′; S,S′ or Se,Se′

A DFT computational study is performed on different Cp₂Ti^IV(L,L′-BID) complexes with L,L′-BID = dioxolene, dithiolene or diselenolene. A fragment analysis of the titanocene-ligand bonding in the DFT optimized geometries showed that out of plane folding for maximum Ti ← L π donation increases Cp₂Ti^IV(O,O′-BID) (35°) < Cp₂Ti^IV(S,S′-BID) (43–49°) < Cp₂Ti^IV(Se,Se′-BID) (48–53°).     

Palladium acetate complexes bearing chelating N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands: Synthesis and catalytic oxidative homocoupling of terminal alkynes

The imidazolium salts 1,1′-dibenzyl-3,3′-propylenediimidazolium dichloride and 1,1′-bis(1-naphthalenemethyl)-3,3′-propylenediimidazolium dichloride have been synthesized and transformed into the corresponding bis(NHC) ligands 1,1′-dibenzyl-3,3′-propylenediimidazol-2-ylidene (L₁) and 1,1′-bis(1-naphthalenemethyl)-3,3′-propylenediimidazol-2-ylidene (L₂) that have been employed to stabilize the Pd^II complexes PdCl₂(κ²-C,C-L₁) (2a) and PdCl₂(κ²-C,C-L₂) (2b). Both latter complexes together with their known homologous counterparts PdCl₂(κ²-C,C-L₃) (1a) (L₃ = 1,1′-dibenzyl-3,3′-ethylenediimidazol-2-ylidene) and PdCl₂(κ²-C,C-L₄) (1b) (L₄ = 1,1′-bis(1-naphthalenemethyl)-3,3′-ethylenediimidazol-2-ylidene) have been straightforwardly converted into the corresponding palladium acetate compounds Pd(κ¹-O-OAc)₂(κ²-C,C-L₃) (3a) (OAc = acetate), Pd(κ¹-O-OAc)₂(κ²-C,C-L₄) (3b), Pd(κ¹-O-OAc)₂(κ²-C,C-L₁) (4a), and Pd(κ¹-O-OAc)₂(κ²-C,C-L₂) (4b). In addition, the phosphanyl-NHC-modified palladium acetate complex Pd(κ¹-O-OAc)₂ (κ²-P,C-L₅) (6) (L₅ = 1-((2-diphenylphosphanyl)methylphenyl)-3-methyl-imidazol-2-ylidene) has been synthesized from corresponding palladium iodide complex PdI₂(κ²-P,C-L₅) (5). The reaction of the former complex with p-toluenesulfonic acid (p-TsOH) gave the corresponding bis-tosylate complex Pd(OTs)₂(κ²-P,C-L₅) (7). All new complexes have been characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and elemental analyses. In addition the solid-state structures of 1b·DMF, 2b·2DMF, 3a, 3b·DMF, 4a, 4b, and 6·CHCl₃·2H₂O have been determined by single crystal X-ray structure analyses. The palladium acetate complexes 3a/b, 4a/b, and 6 have been employed to catalyze the oxidative homocoupling reaction of terminal alkynes in acetonitrile chemoselectively yielding the corresponding 1,4-di-substituted 1,3-diyne in the presence of p-benzoquinone (BQ). The highest catalytic activity in the presence of BQ has been obtained with 6, while within the series of palladium-bis(NHC) complexes, 4b, featured with a n-propylene-bridge and the bulky N-1-naphthalenemethyl substituents, revealed as the most active compound. Hence, this latter precursor has been employed for analogous coupling reaction carried out in the presence of air pressure instead of BQ, yielding lower substrate conversion when compared to reaction performed in the presence of BQ. The important role of the ancillary ligand acetate in the course of the catalytic coupling reaction has been proved by variable-temperature NMR studies carried out with 6 and 7′ under catalytic reaction conditions.     

CO2 permeation properties of poly(ethylene oxide)-based segmented block copolymers

This paper discusses the gas permeation properties of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)-based segmented block copolymers containing monodisperse amide segments. These monodisperse segments give rise to a well phase-separated morphology, comprising a continuous PEO phase with dispersed crystallised amide segments. The influence of the polyether phase composition and of the temperature on the permeation properties of various gases (i.e., CO₂, N₂, He, CH₄, O₂ and H₂) as well as on the pure gas selectivities were studied in the temperature range of −5 °C to 75 °C. The CO₂ permeability increased strongly with PEO concentration, and this effect could partly be explained by the dispersed hard segment concentration and partly by the changing chain flexibility. By decreasing the PEO melting temperature the low temperature permeabilities were improved. The gas transport values were dependant on both the dispersed hard segment concentration and the polyether segment length (length between crosslinks). The gas selectivities were dependant on the polyether segment length and thus the chain flexibility.     

Polyelectrolyte layer-by-layer self-assembly enhanced by electric field and their multilayer membranes for separating isopropanol–water mixtures

An electric field enhanced method is developed for fabricating layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly polyelectrolyte multilayer membranes. Three kinds of electric field enhanced polyelectrolyte multilayer membranes (EPEMs), poly(diallyl dimethylammonium chloride)/poly(styrenesulfonate sodium salt) (PDDA/PSS), poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride)/poly(acrylic acid sodium salt) (PDDA/PAA) and polyethylenimine/poly(acrylic acid sodium salt) (PEI/PAA), were self-assembled on a reverse osmosis membrane (ROM). The pervaporation performances of EPEMs for separating isopropanol–water mixtures (90/10, w/w) are all superior to those of corresponding normal self-assembled polyelectrolytes membranes (PEMs), and the selectivity increases with PDDA/PSS, PDDA/PAA and PEI/PAA in order. For (PEI/PAA)₄PEI EPEM, the separation factor is 1075 and permeation flux is 4.05 kg m⁻² h⁻¹ at 70 °C. This novel method speeds up the LbL process, which makes it promising for the practical application of the LbL multilayer membrane.     

Synthesis and characterization of new heterocyclic Schiff base palladacycles: Ring activation through N-oxide formation

Reaction of the Schiff base ligand derived from 4-pyridinecarboxaldehyde NC₅H₄C(H)N[2′,4′,6′-(CH₃)C₆H₂], (1), with palladium(II) acetate in toluene at 60 °C for 24 h gave [Pd{NC₅H₄C(H)N[2′,4′,6′-(CH₃)C₆H₂]}₂(OCOCH₃)₂], (2), with two ligands coordinated through the pyridine nitrogen. Treatment of the Schiff base ligand derived from 4-pyridinecarboxaldehyde N-oxide, 4-(O)NC₅H₄C(H)N[2′,4′,6′-(CH₃)C₆H₂], (4), with palladium(II) acetate in toluene at 75 °C gave the dinuclear acetato-bridged complex [Pd{4-(O)NC₅H₃C(H)N[2′,4′,6′-(CH₃)C₆H₂]}(OCOCH₃)]₂, (5) with metallation of an aromatic phenyl carbon. Reaction of complex 5 with sodium chloride or lithium bromide gave the dinuclear halogen-bridged complexes [Pd{4-(O)NC₅H₃C(H)N[2′,4′,6′-(CH₃)C₆H₂]}(Cl)]₂, (6) and [Pd{4-(O)NC₅H₃C(H)N[2′,4′,6′-(CH₃)C₆H₂]}(Br)]₂, (7), after the metathesis reaction. Reaction of 6 and 7 with triphenylphosphine gave the mononuclear species [Pd{4-(O)NC₅H₃C(H)N[2′,4′,6′-(CH₃)C₆H₂]}(Cl)(PPh₃)], (8) and [Pd{4-(O)NC₅H₃C(H)N[2′,4′,6′-(CH₃)C₆H₂]}-(Br)(PPh₃)], (9), as air stable solids. Treatment of 6 and 7 with Ph₂P(CH₂)₂PPh₂ (dppe) in a complex/diphosphine 1:2 molar ratio gave the mononuclear complexes [Pd{4-(O)NC₅H₃C(H)N[2′,4′,6′-(CH₃)C₆H₂]}(PPh₂(CH₂)₂PPh₂)][Cl], (10), and [Pd{4-(O)NC₅H₃C(H)N[2′,4′,6′-(CH₃)C₆H₂]}(PPh₂(CH₂)₂PPh₂)][PF₆], (11), with a chelating diphosphine. The molecular structure of complex 9 was determined by X-ray single crystal diffraction analysis.     

Temperature dependence vapour pressure measurements of Mg(tmhd)2(tmeda) [(tmhd = 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedione, tmeda = N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine]

The reaction between the magnesium β-diketonate complex Mg(tmhd)₂(H₂O)₂ and 1 equiv. of N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine (tmeda = Me₂NCH₂CH₂NMe₂) in hexane at room temperature yielded Mg(tmhd)₂(tmeda). The standard enthalpy of sublimation (83.2 ± 2.3 kJ mol⁻¹) and entropy of sublimation (263 ± 6.3 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹) of Mg(tmhd)₂(tmeda) were obtained from the temperature dependence vapour pressure, determined by adopting a horizontal dual arm single furnace thermogravimetric analyser as a transpiration apparatus. From the observed melting point depression DTA, the standard enthalpy of fusion (58.3 ± 5.2 kJ mol⁻¹) was evaluated, using the ideal eutectic behaviour of Mg(tmhd)₂(tmeda) as a solvent with bis(2,4-pentanedionato)magnesium(II), Mg(acac)₂ as a non-volatile solute.     

Investigation of the zinc(II) acetylacetonate/benzotriazole reaction system in the presence of bridging N,N′-ligands: Pentanuclear, enneanuclear and polymeric complexes

The reaction of Zn(acac)₂ with btaH (1,2,3-benzotriazole) in dmf yielded the pentanuclear complex [Zn₅(bta)₆(acac)₄(dmf)]·dmf (1·dmf). In the presence of pyrazine, the pentanuclear [Zn₅(bta)₆(acac)₄(dmf)]·3.7dmf (2·3.7dmf) and enneanuclear [Zn₉(bta)₁₂(acac)₆]·6dmf (3·6dmf) complexes were formed, whereas in the presence of 4,4′-bpy the 1D coordination polymer [Zn(acac)₂(4,4′-bpy)]_n (4) was isolated. The molecular structures of 1·dmf and 2·3.7dmf reveal that the [Zn₅] clusters consist of four Zn^II ions which span the corners of a tetrahedron and the fifth resides at its centre. The molecular structure of 3·6dmf reveals that the [Zn₉] clusters consist of two corner sharing tetrahedra and the structure can be described as the addition of two [Zn₅] clusters of 1·dmf and/or 2·3.7dmf followed by the simultaneous abstraction of [Zn(acac)₂] and dmf molecules; this alternative was accomplished by recrystallization of 1·dmf from dmf which yielded 3·6dmf. Each of the μ₃-κN:κN′:κN′′ benzotriazolate ligands in 1·dmf, 2·3.7dmf and 3·6dmf spans an edge of the tetrahedron. The molecular structure of 4 reveals mononuclear [Zn(acac)₂] units bridged via 4,4′-bpy molecules to 1D coordination polymer. Characteristic IR bands of the four complexes are discussed in terms of the coordination modes of the ligands and known structures.     

Comparative study between a CMS membrane and a CMS adsorbent: Part I—Morphology, adsorption equilibrium and kinetics

This paper presents a comparative study between a carbon molecular sieve (CMS) membrane and a commercial CMS adsorbent; these materials are suited for selective gas permeation and adsorption-based gas separations, respectively. The purpose of this analysis is to better understand the mass transport mechanism in CMS membranes and how it is related to the material's structure. The structural characterization based on the adsorption of CO₂ at 0 °C revealed that the adsorbent has a greater micropore volume, a smaller mean pore width and a micropore size distribution shifted to the left, when compared to the membrane. This translates into a lower adsorption capacity of the membrane towards N₂, Ar, CO₂ and O₂ at 29.5 °C and 0–7 bar. The adsorption kinetics were also studied and the pressure-dependence of the apparent time constants established; different models were used to predict the experimental results, emphasizing the very important role of the ultramicroporosity on the properties of the materials. The CMS membrane exhibited a pore blockage effect when permeating O₂ and CO₂. Further morphologic characterization was performed by SEM, X-ray diffraction and mercury porosimetry.     

Reaction of (±)-1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diyl hydrogen phosphate {(±)-phosH} with copper(II), cobalt(II) and iron(II) compounds; Identification by x-ray diffraction of [Co(CH3OH)4(H2O)2][(+)-phos][(−)-phos]. 2CH3OH·H2O

[Cu₂(μO₂CCH₃)₄(H₂O)₂], [CuCO₃·Cu(OH)₂], [CoSO₄·7H₂O], [Co((+)-tartrate)], and [FeSO₄·7H₂O] react with excess racemic (±)- 1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diyl hydrogen phosphate {(±)-PhosH} to give mononuclear Cu^II, Co^II and Fe^II products. The cobalt product, [Co(CH₃OH)₄(H₂O)₂]((+)-Phos)((−)-Phos) ·2CH₃OH·H₂O (7), has been identified by X-ray diffraction. The high-spin, octahedral Co^II atom is ligated by four equatorial methanol molecules and two axial water molecules. A (+)- and a (−)-Phos⁻ ion are associated with each molecule of the complex but are not coordinated to the metal centre. For the other Co^II, Cu^II and Fe^II samples of similar formulation to (7) it is also thought that the Phos⁻ ions are not bonded directly to the metal. When some of the Cu^II and Co^II samples are heated under high vacuum there is evidence that the Phos⁻ ions are coordinated directly to the metals in the products.     

Synthetic and structural studies of metal complexes derived from tris(3,5-bimethyl-pyrazolylmethyl)amine and pyridine derivatives

A series of metal complexes with a tripodal ligand, TMPzA, have been synthesized and characterized, and their single crystal structures have been determined by X-ray diffraction techniques. It has been found that when pyridyl derivatives as auxiliary ligands are added to the reaction mixture, the tripodal ligand TMPzA loses a pendant arm and coordinates with the metal centers to form the complexes: [Cu(DMPzA)(2,2′-bipy)]·(ClO₄)₂ (1), [(DMPzA)Cu(μ-4,4′-bipy)Cu(DMPzA)]·(ClO₄)₄ (2), [(TMPzA)Cu(μ-H₂DPC)Cu(DMPzA)]·(ClO₄)₂ (3), [(DMPzA)Co(μ-H₂DPC)Co(TMPzA)]·(ClO₄)₂ (4) [TMPzA = tris(3,5-bimethyl-pyrazolymethyl)amine; bipy = bipyridine; H₂DPC = pyridyl-2,6-bicarboxylate; DMPzA = bis(3,5-bimethyl-pyrazolmethyl)amine]. In order to investigate the effect of the pyridyl ring on the cleavage of the pendant arm in the tripodal ligand, a fifth complex, [(TMPzA)Co(μ-HZPC)Co(TMPzA)·(H₂O)₂]·(ClO₄)₃ (5), has been prepared by using pyrazole-carboxylate (HZPC) instead of pyridyl derivatives, and its crystal structure has been determined. It has been found that the pendant arm in TMPzA ligand has not been removed in complex 5. The results show that the complexes with TMPzA have a strong ability to recognize pyridine compounds in methanol solvent, and they have potential application for molecular devices in the future. The cleavage mechanism has been studied by DFT calculations and ESI-MS spectra.     

Carboxylic acid–pyridine supramolecular heterocatemer in a co-crystal

Robustness of carboxylic acid–pyridine supramolecular heterosynthon was examined in three 1:2 binary co-crystals of 4,4′-bipyridine with monocarboxylic acids, (4,4′-bipyridine)·(dl-hydroxyphenylacetic acid)₂, 1; (4,4′-bipyridine)_0.5·(4-bromonaphthalene-1-carboxylic acid), 2 and (4,4′-bipyridine)_0.5·(4-methylbenzoic acid), 3. All the three co-crystals form “two-component supermolecules” (consisting of one molecule of 4,4′-bipyridine and two molecules of the relevant carboxylic acid) stabilized through carboxylic acid–pyridine heterosynthons. Co-crystals 1 and 2 exhibits the expected carboxylic acid–pyridine dimer (heterodimer I) whereas co-crystal 3 forms a novel carboxylic acid–pyridine catemer (heterocatemer II).     

The O–H···O, O–H···N and C–H···O hydrogen bonds in 1,4-dimethylpiperazine mono-betaine monohydrate

1,4-Dimethylpiperazine mono-betaine (1-carboxymethyl-1,4-dimethylpiperazinium inner salt, MBPZ) crystallizes as monohydrate. The crystals are orthorhombic, space group Pccn. Two MBPZ molecules and two water molecules form a cyclic oligomer, (MBPZ·H₂O)₂. The O–H···O and O–H···N hydrogen bonds are of 2.769(1) and 2.902(1) Å, respectively. The dimers interact with the neighboring molecules through the C–H···O hydrogen bonds of 3.234(1) Å. The piperazine ring assumes a chair conformation with the N(4)–CH₃ and N⁺(1)–CH₂COO⁻ groups in the equatorial position and the N⁺(1)–CH₃ group in the axial one. The FTIR spectrum is compared with that calculated by the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level of theory.     

Platinum(IV) complexes with α,ω-bis(pyrazol-1-yl) alkanediyl and diethyl ether/thioether ligands. Crystal structures of dibromodimethyl[1,2-bis(pyrazol-1-yl)ethane]platinum(IV) and trimethyl-bis[2-(pyrazol-1-yl)ethyl]etherplatinum(IV) tetrafluoroborate

Reactions of the flexible α,ω-bis(pyrazol-1-yl) compounds 1,2-bis(pyrazol-1-yl)ethane (L1), 1,8-bis(pyrazol-1-yl)-n-octane (L2), bis[2-(pyrazol-1-yl)ethyl]ether (L3) and bis[2-(pyrazol-1-yl)ethyl]thioether (L4) with precursor organometallic platinum complexes ([(PtBr₂Me₂)_n], [(PtIMe₃)₄] and [(PtMe₂(cod)]/I₂) are described herein. The spectroscopic characterization of the platinum(IV) products of these reactions [PtBr₂Me₂{pz(CH₂)_mpz}], m = 2 (1) or 8 (2), [PtI₂Me₂{pz(CH₂)₂pz}] (3), [PtMe₃(pzCH₂CH₂OCH₂CH₂pz)][BF₄] (4) and [PtMe₃(pzCH₂CH₂SCH₂CH₂pz)][CF₃SO₃] (5), where ‘pz’ is pyrazol-1-yl, is discussed. Furthermore, solid state structures of 1, a complex with a seven-membered chelate ring, and 4, a complex bearing the neutral κ²N,N′,κO ligand bis[2-(pyrazol-1-yl)ethyl]ether (L3) are reported.     

Biogas upgrading with novel cellulose nano-crystals and polyvinyl amine nanocomposite membranes

A novel crystalline nano cellulose (CNC) and polyvinyl amine (PVAm) based nanocomposite membranes were synthesized and evaluated for biogas upgrading. Different concentrations of CNC was incorporated in 3 wt % PVAm solution on commercial polysulfone (PSf) sheet using dip coating method. The effect of feed pressure (5, 10 and 15 bar) was investigated for the CO₂/CH₄ separation. The incorporation of CNC increased the crystallinity of membranes. The thickness of selective layer enhanced to 2.16 μm from 1.5 μm with increasing concentration of CNC. However, degree of swelling reduced from 75.88% to 68.93 with CNC concentration at 1.5 wt%. The best results were shown by PVAm membrane with 1 wt % CNC concentration i.e. CO₂ permeance of 0.0216 m³(STP)/m².bar.hr and selectivity (CO₂/CH₄) of 41.The permeance decreased approximately 1.8 folds for PVAm/1CNC membrane with the increase in pressure from 5 to 15 bar. However, selectivity dropped from 41 to 39 for formulated membranes.     

High performance of PES-GNs MMMs for gas separation and selectivity

In this study, graphene nanosheets (GNs) were incorporated into polyethersulfone (PES) by phase inversion approach for preparing PES-GNs mixed matrix membranes (MMMs). To investigate the impact of filler content on membrane surface morphology, thermal stability, chemical composition, porosity and mechanical properties, MMMs were constructed with various GNs loadings (0.01, 0.02, 0.03, and 0.04 wt%). ?The performance of prepared MMMs was tested for separation and selectivity of CO₂, N₂, H₂ and CH₄ gases at various pressures from 1 to 6 bar and temperature varying from 20 to 60 °C. It was observed that, compared to the pristine PES membrane, the prepared MMMs significantly improved the gas separation and selectivity performance with adequate mechanical stability. The permeability of CO₂, N₂, H₂ and CH₄ for the PES + 0.04 wt% GNs increases from 9 to 2246, 11 to 2235, 9 to 7151, and 3 to 4176 Barrer respectively, as compared with pure PES membrane at 1 bar and 20 °C due to improving the membrane absorption and porosity. In addition, by increasing the pressure, the permeability and selectivity of CO₂, N₂, H₂ and CH₄ are increased due to the increased driving force for the transport of gas via membranes. Furthermore, the permeability of CO₂, N₂, H₂ and CH₄ increased by increasing the temperature from 20 to 60 °C due to the plasticization in the membranes and the improvement in polymer chain movement. This result proved that the prepared membranes can be used for gas separation applications.     

Heterometallic clusters arising from cubic Ni3M′O4 (M′=K and Na) entity: Solvothermal synthesis with/without the assistance of microwave

Solvothermal reaction assisted with microwave leads to the formation of two unique heterometallic cubic clusters [Ni₃M′(L)₃(OH)(CH₃CN)₃]₂·CH₃CN (M′=K for 1 and M′=Na for 2, where L is an anion of 2-[(2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-benzylidene)-amino]-ethanesulfonate) with higher efficiency, yields and purity than those without it. The 6-metallacrown-3 [Ni₃(OH)(L)₃]⁻ groups exhibit interesting ion trapping and self-assembly of size-different Na⁺ and K⁺ through form recognition and coordination activity in 1 and 2. The magnetic studies for 1 and 2 suggest that the {Ni₃M′O₄} (M′=K and Na) cores both display dominant ferromagnetic interactions from the nature of the binding modes of μ₃-O (oxidophenyl) and μ₃-OH.     

Mixed-matrix membranes comprising graphene-oxide nanosheets for CO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/CH<Subscript>4</Subscript> separation: A comparison between glassy and rubbery polymer matrices

The effect of graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets on the CO₂/CH₄ separation performance of a rubbery (poly(dimethylsiloxane), PDMS) as well as a glassy (polyetherimide, PEI) polymer is studied. Interfacial interactions between the nanosheets and both polymers are revealed by FTIR and SEM. The results of gas permeation through the membranes demonstrate that GO nanosheets enhance CO₂/CH₄ diffusivityselectivity of PEI and CO₂/CH₄ solubility-selectivities of the PEI and PDMS polymers, while diminish CO₂/CH₄ diffusivity-selectivity of PDMS. Furthermore, the possibility of overcoming the common tradeoff between CO₂ permeability and CO₂/CH₄ selectivity of rubbery and glassy polymers by incorporating very low amounts of graphene oxide nanosheets is addressed. In other words, at 0.25 wt % GO loading, the PEI membrane shows simultaneous enhancement of CO₂ permeability (16%) and CO₂/CH₄ selectivity (59%). Also, for the PDMS membrane simultaneous enhancement of CO₂ permeability (29%) and CO₂/CH₄ selectivity (112%) is occurred at 0.5 wt % GO loading. Finally, the capability of the well known Nielsen model to predict the gas permeability behavior of the nanocomposites is investigated.     

Composite hollow fiber membranes for CO2 capture

Composite hollow fibers membranes were prepared by coating poly(phenylene oxide) (PPO) and polysulfone (PSf) hollow fibers with high molecular polyvinylamine (PVAm). Two procedures of coating hollow fibers outside and respective inside were investigated with respect to intrinsic PVAm solution properties and hollow fibers geometry and material.The influence of operating mode (sweep or vacuum) on the performances of membranes was investigated. Vacuum operating mode gave better results than using sweep because part of the sweep gas permeated into feed and induced an extra resistance to the most permeable gas the CO₂. The composite PVAm/PSf HF membranes having a 0.7–1.5 μm PVAm selective layer, showed CO₂/N₂ selectivity between 100 and 230. The selectivity was attributed to the CO₂ facilitated transport imposed by PVAm selective layer. The CO₂ permeance changed from 0.006 to 0.022 m³(STP)/(m² bar h) in direct correlation with CO₂ permeance and separation mechanism of the individual porous supports used for membrane fabrication. The multilayer PVAm/PPO membrane using as support PPO hollow fibers with a 40 nm PPO dense skin layer, surprisingly presented an increase in selectivity with the increase in CO₂ partial pressure. This trend was opposite to the facilitated transport characteristic behaviour of PVAm/porous PSf. This indicated that PVAm/PPO membrane represents a new membrane, with new properties and a hybrid mechanism, extremely stable at high pressure ratios. The CO₂/N₂ selectivity ranged between 20 and 500 and the CO₂ permeance from 0.11 to 2.3 m³(STP)/(m² bar h) depending on the operating conditions.For both PVAm/PSf and PVAm/PPO membranes, the CO₂ permeance was similar with the CO₂ permeance of uncoated hollow fiber supports, confirming that the CO₂ diffusion rate limiting step resides in the properties of the relatively thick support, not at the level of 1.2 μm thin and water swollen PVAm selective layer. A dynamic transfer of the CO₂ diffusion rate limiting step between PVAm top layer and PPO support was observed by changing the feed relative humidity (RH%). The CO₂ diffusion rate was controlled by the PPO support when using humid feed. At low feed humidity the 1.2 μm PVAm top layer becomes the CO₂ diffusion rate limiting step.     

Synthesis of new Cu(II), Ni(II) and Co(II) complexes with a bis-amide ligand functionalized with pyridine moieties: Spectral, magnetic and electrochemical studies

Three new copper(II), nickel(II) and cobalt (II) dinuclear complexes with a bis-amide ligand derived from tartaric acid have been prepared and characterized. For this purpose, the ligand (R,R)-(+)-di-N,N′-methylpyridino-tartramide (dmpt) was synthesized via the classical aminolysis of (R,R)-(+)-dimethyltartrate with pyridylmethylamine. The molecular structures of the complexes Na[Cu₂(dmptH₋₃)(CO₃)] · 8H₂O (1) and [Ni₂(dmptH₋₂)₂] · 9.75H₂O (2) were elucidated by X-ray diffraction, and the complex [Co₂(dmptH₋₃)(μ-OH)] · NaClO₄ · 5H₂O (3) by XAS. The crystal structure of (1) shows that the two metallic centres are in a square planar environment. Each copper(II) is bound to pyridyl and deprotonated amidic nitrogen atoms and to the oxygen atoms of hydroxyl and carbonato groups. In complex (2), both nickel atoms are in a distorted octahedral environment with an identical set of donors atoms, N₄O₂, coming from four nitrogen atoms of two pyridylmethylamido moieties and two oxygen donor atoms of alcohol groups. XAS analysis of complex (3) allows us to propose a CoN₂O₄ chromophore, with two nitrogen atoms coming from pyridyl and amidic groups and two bridged oxygen atoms from a deprotonated alcohol group and an hydroxyl group; the hexacoordination is achieved by two water molecules. The spectroscopic, electrochemical and magnetic properties of these complexes were investigated.