Oxygen/nitrogen separation by polycarbonate/Co(SalPr) complex membranes

An oxygen carrier, cobalt di-(salicylal)-3,3′-diimino-di-n-propylamine (Co(SalPr)), was added into a polycarbonate membrane for improving its oxygen/nitrogen selectivity. Both the oxygen permeability and oxygen/nitrogen selectivity increased when only 3 wt% of Co(SalPr) was added. The permeability kept increasing but the selectivity decreased when more than 3 wt% of Co(SalPr) was added. The oxygen to nitrogen solubility ratio decreased when 3 wt% of Co(SalPr) was added. Further increase in Co(SalPr) content led to an increase in oxygen/nitrogen solubility ratio. It was astonishing to know that the effect of Co(SalPr) content on the oxygen/nitrogen solubility ratio was totally opposite to that on the oxygen/nitrogen selectivity. A membrane gas transport model which combines the dual mobility model with pore model was adopted to explain the above phenomenon. The specific volume measurement implied that the pore diffusion was responsible for this behavior. The contribution of sorption-diffusion type transport was also investigated by examining the transport behavior of the 3 wt% Co(SalPr) containing membrane through which the pore diffusion is relatively low. The effect of upstream pressure on the oxygen permeability and solubility implied that the diffusivity of Henry's mode was much higher than that of Langmuir's mode. It was also found that the effects of upstream pressure and operating temperature on the oxygen/nitrogen selectivity were both in accordance with those on the Henry's mode solubility ratio. The above information suggested that in addition to the pore diffusion the ratio of Henry's mode diffusion dominated the O₂/N₂ separation instead of the overall O₂ to N₂ solubility ratio.     

Gas sorption and transport in substituted polycarbonates

The effects of molecular structure manipulation of polycarbonates on sorption and transport of various gases were studied using tetramethyl, tetrachloro, and tetrabromo substitutions onto the aromatic rings of bisphenol A polycarbonate. Solubility and permeability measurements were made at 35°C over the pressure range of 1–20 atm for a variety of gases, namely CO₂, CH₄, O₂, N₂, and He. A threefold to fourfold increase in permeability was caused by the tetramethyl substitution, whereas the tetrachloro and tetrabromo substitutions reduced the permeability relative to the tetramethyl substitution. Lower activation energies for transport were found for the tetramethyl polycarbonate relative to the unsubstituted polycarbonate. Permeability coefficients were factored into solubility and diffusion coefficients. Sorption levels increased for all substitutions, but among the substituted polymers the levels remain practically the same. Solubility data were analyzed in terms of the dual sorption model. The Henry's law solubility coefficients obtained from this analysis were found to be consistent with a predictive equation developed for rubbery polymers. The usual correlation for predicting the Langmuir sorption capacity of the model overestimates the values for the substituted polycarbonates, and a proposal for the cause of this is offered. Thermal expansion of these polymers was measured using dilatometry, and the results are used in the interpretation of the sorption data. Diffusion phenomena are explained by segmental mobility and free volume considerations. The effects of CO₂ exposure history on sorption and transport were also investigated.     

Carbon dioxide sorption and transport in polycarbonate

The solubility, permeability, and diffusion time lag for carbon dioxide in polycarbonate are reported at 35°C for pressures ranging from 1 atm to 23 atm. The solubility data are very well described by the dual sorption mechanism model, Henry's law plus Langmuir adsorption, proposed for glassy polymers. Both the permeability and time lag decrease with increased CO₂ pressure. These observations are not consistent with the proposal that CO₂ sorbed by the Langmuir contribution is totally immobilized; however, all of the results are entirely consistent with an extension of this proposal which considers partial immobilization. The data have been quantitatively analyzed in terms of this partial immobilization model, and the results suggest for polycarbonate at 35°C that the CC₂ sorbed by the Langmuir portion of the isotherm behaves as if it has only about 10% of the mobility of the gas sorbed by the Henry's law part of the isotherm. The results have also been interpreted in terms of a concentration-dependent diffusion coefficient which is shown to be mathematically equivalent to the partial immobilization model. The latter model was also formulated in thermodynamic terms, whereby fugacity was used rather than pressure, and diffusion coefficients were defined in terms of chemical potential gradients rather than concentration, but the consequences of these changes proved to be minor and no better. The significance of these observations and their interpretation is discussed.     

Evaluation of gas sorption parameters and prediction of sorption isotherms in glassy polymers

A model of continuous‐site distribution for gas sorption in glassy polymers is examined with sorption data of CO₂ and Ar in polycarbonate. A procedure is presented for determining from a measured isotherm the number of sorption sites in a polymer, an important parameter that previously had to be assumed. With this parameter value and solubility data obtained at zero pressure, the model can reasonably predict sorption isotherms of CO₂ in glassy polycarbonate for a wide temperature range. The number of sorption sites and the average site volume evaluated from CO₂ sorption isotherms are employed for the prediction of Ar sorption isotherms with zero‐pressure solubility data and the independently measured partial molar volume of Ar. A reasonable fit to the measured isotherms of Ar is achieved. With the proposed procedure, the continuous‐site model shows several advantages over the conventional dual‐mode sorption model. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 38: 883–888, 2000     

Transport of carbon dioxide and methane in glassy aromatic polyesters

Solubilities and diffusivities of CO₂ and CH₄ in two aromatic polyesters [Ardel® poly(bisphenol A phthalate) (PAr) and poly(phenolphthalein phthalate) (PPha)] and one polycarbonate [Lexan® (PC)], generated from independent sorption and permeation measurements at 35°C and up to 25 atm, are compared. The permeability ratio for CO₂ over CH₄, at 20 atm and 35°C, ranges from 24 for PC, to 21 for PAr, and 27 for PPha. However, the permeability of PPha and PAr are 40 and 120% higher, respectively, than that of PC. Less than 21% change in the gas diffusivity was observed; therefore, a major portion of the observed higher permeability of PPha and PAr is attributed to an increase in the gas solubility. These data are interpreted qualitatively in terms of changes in the calculated packing density, chain torsional mobility of the polymer, and gas-polymer attraction.     

Evaluation of substituted polycarbonates and a blend with polystyrene as gas separation membranes

The balance between the rate and the selectivity of transport of various gas pairs in a series of polycarbonates has been examined. Replacement of the four available hydrogens on the aromatic rings of the bisphenol-A unit with CH₃, Cl, or Br groups gives materials with a better balance of these two characteristics than the unsubstituted polycarbonate (PC). For example, using CH₃ substitution increases the permeability to O₂ by nearly a factor of four with no loss in O₂/N₂ selectivity compared with PC, while using Br substitution increases O₂/N₂ selectivity by 50% without any loss in O₂ permeability compared with PC. While these substitutions affect the permeability through both its mobility and solubility components, the remarkable selectivity effects are caused primarily by changes in relative mobility since the changes in solubility characteristics are nearly the same for all gases. These substitutions alter chain motions, cohesion, and packing as discussed. The tetramethylbisphenol-A polycarbonate forms miscible blends with polystyrene. These blends show absolute permeability coefficients which are lower than additivity while the selectivity of transport is greater. These effects are a result of the interactions between the two polymers.     

Gas separation properties of aromatic poly(amide-imide) membranes

Aromatic poly(amide-imide)s were synthesized using direct 2,2-bis[N-(4-carboxyphenyl)-phthalimidyl] hexafluoropropane (6FDIA) polycondensation with various diamines containing flexible ether groups and bulky substituents. The oxygen and nitrogen gas transport in the poly(amide-imide) membranes was investigate at 35 °C with the pressure between the interval at 2-10 atm. The proposed method is expected to promote the gas permeability of the poly(amide-imide) membrane and maintain the gas selectivity. It was found that both gas permeability and selectivity of poly(amide-imide) membranes increased with increasing fractional free volume and d-spacing. The gas permeability had good correlation with the γ-transition temperature. The bulky pendent group introduced into diamine moiety of poly(amide-imide) could efficiently promote the gas permeability. For the behaviors of gas separation, the gas diffusivity coefficient and solubility selectivity controlled the gas permeability and selectivity, respectively. The sorption behavior of the aromatic poly(amide-imide) membranes can be well explained using the dual mode sorption model. The Langmuir capacity constant and Henry’s law constant increase with FFV increasing. 6F-TBAPS has the best O₂/N₂ separation performance among the poly(amide-imide) membranes.     

Gas sorption and transport in miscible blends of tetramethyl bisphenol-A polycarbonate and polystyrene

The permeability coefficients for He, O₂, N₂, CH₄, and CO₂ in miscible blends of polystyrene (PS) and tetramethyl bisphenol-A polycarbonate (TMPC) at 35°C and 1 atm driving pressure are reported. Sorption isotherms for CO₂ and CH₄ are also presented. The isotherms were fitted to the dual sorption model. The Langmuir capacity factor was found to follow an earlier correlation based on unrelaxed volume. For each gas, the permeability was found to go through a minimum when plotted against blend composition. This behavior is primarily the result of the volume change on mixing observed for this system. The attractive interaction between TMPC and PS is relatively strong as indicated by density and solubility data. The value of the binary interaction parameter was found to be of the same magnitude as that for poly(phenylene oxide) (PPO)-polystyrene (PS) blends. Considering the similarity of structure between PPO and TMPC, it is concluded that similar phenyl-phenyl interactions and conformational changes on blending may prevail in TMPC/PS blends.     

Effect of isopropylidene replacement on gas transport properties of polycarbonates

The gas sorption and transport properties of a series of polycarbonates in which the isopropylidene unit of bisphenol A polycarbonate has been replaced with another molecular group are presented. Two new materials, bisphenol of norbornane polycarbonate (NBPC) and bisphenol Z polycarbonate (PCZ), are compared with several polymers which have been studied previously in this laboratory, including bisphenol A polycarbonate (PC), hexafluorobisphenol A polycarbonate (HFPC), and bisphenol of chloral polycarbonate (BCPC). The effect of molecular structure on chain mobility and chain packing is related to the gas transport properties. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis and differential scanning calorimetry are used to judge chain mobility, while x-ray diffraction and free volume calculations give information about chain packing. Permeability measurements were made for He, H₂, O₂, N₂, CH₄, and CO₂ at 35°C over a range of pressures up to 20 atm. Sorption experiments were also done for N₂, CH₄, and CO₂ under the same conditions. The permeability coefficients of these polymers rank in the order HFPC ? NBPC>PC>BCPC ? PCZ for all of the gases. With the exception of BCPC, this order correlates well with fractional free volume. The low gas permeability of BCPC is attributed to a polarity effect. In general, bulky and relatively immobile substituents, as in HFPC and NBPC, can yield improved separation characteristics. The polar group of BCPC and the flexible cyclohexyl substituent of PCZ result in relatively low gas permeability.     

Gravimetric study of high-pressure sorption of gases in polymers

A gravimetric method for determining precisely the solubility of gases in polymers at high pressure is described. The solubilities of N₂ and CO₂ in low-density polyethylene (LDPE); CO₂ in polycarbonate (PC); and N₂, CH₄, C₂H₆, and CO₂ in polysulfone (PSUL) have been measured as a function of pressure up to 50 atm. Most of the measured sorption isotherms agreed closely with published data, but reproducible and time-dependent hysteresis in the sorption of CO₂, C₂H₆, and CH₄ in glassy polymers, PC, and PSUL, was observed in this study for the first time. Like the well known conditioning effect of high-pressure CO₂ on the sorption capacity of glassy polymers, these hysteresis phenomena are believed to be due to the plasticizing effect of sorbed gases. On the basis of the current data, the dual-mode sorption model including the plasticization by sorbed gas is discussed and a primitive equation for the concentration of sorbed gases in a quasiequilibrium state of sorption or desorption is proposed.     

Sorption,diffusion, and permeation of ethylbenzene in poly(1‐trimethylsilyl‐1‐propyne)

The solubility, diffusivity, and permeability of ethylbenzene in poly(1‐trimethylsilyl‐1‐propyne) (PTMSP) at 35, 45 and 55 °C were determined using kinetic gravimetric sorption and pure gas permeation methods. Ethylbenzene solubility in PTMSP was well described by the generalized dual‐mode model with χ = 0.39 ± 0.02, b = 15 ± 1, and C^′_H = 45 ± 4 cm³ (STP)/cm³ PTMSP at 35 °C. Ethylbenzene solubility increased with decreasing temperature; the enthalpy of sorption at infinite dilution was −40 ± 7 kJ/mol and was essentially equal to the enthalpy change upon condensation of pure ethylbenzene. The diffusion coefficient of ethylbenzene in PTMSP decreased with increasing concentration and decreasing temperature. Activation energies of diffusion were very low at infinite dilution and increased with increasing concentration to a maximum value of 50 ± 10 kJ/mol at the highest concentration explored. PTMSP permeability to ethylbenzene decreased with increasing concentration. The permeability estimated from solubility and diffusivity data obtained by kinetic gravimetric sorption was in good agreement with permeability determined from direct permeation experiments. Permeability after exposure to a high ethylbenzene partial pressure was significantly higher than that observed before the sample was exposed to a higher partial pressure of ethylbenzene. Nitrogen permeability coefficients were also determined from pure gas experiments. Nitrogen and ethylbenzene permeability coefficients increased with decreasing temperature, and infinite dilution activation energies of permeation for N₂ and ethylbenzene were −5.5 ± 0.5 kJ/mol and −74 ± 11 kJ/mol, respectively. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 38: 1078–1089, 2000     

Effect of structure on the temperature dependence of gas transport and sorption in a series of polycarbonates

The permeabilities and solubilities of five gases are reported for bisphenol-A polycarbonate (PC), tetramethyl polycarbonate (TMPC), and tetramethyl hexafluoro polycarbonate (TMHFPC) at temperatures up to 200°C. The temperature dependence of permselectivity is discussed in terms of solubility and diffusivity selectivity changes with temperature for CO₂/CH₄ and He/N₂ gas separations. The activation energies for permeation and diffusion and the heats of sorption are also reported for each gas in the three polycarbonates. Analysis of these values provides a better fundamental understanding of the effect of polymer-penetrant interactions and polymer backbone structure on the temperature dependence of the transport and sorption properties of gases in membrane separation processes. Important factors affecting the solubility and diffusivity selectivity losses or gains with increased temperature are also identified through correlation of these data with physical properties of the gases and polymers. These conclusions provide a framework for choosing the most promising membrane materials for particular gas separations at elevated temperatures. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Gas sorption and transport in polysulfone

The sorption and transport of CO₂, CH₄, Ar, and N₂ were measured in a melt-extruded film of polysulfone at 35°C. The results are interpreted in terms of the dual sorption and mobility models and compared to the structurally similar glassy polycarbonate. In addition, sorption measurements were made on specimens with various processing and treatment histories including porous membranes prepared by water coagulation of concentrated polysulfone solutions in DMF and THF. The sorption capacity for CO₂ varied considerably with the history of the specimen.     

Gas transport properties of poly(2,2,4,4-tetramethyl cyclobutane carbonate)

Gas transport properties of semicrystalline films of poly(2,2,4,4-tetramethyl cyclobutane carbonate) (TMCBPC) were studied. Permeability coefficients for He, O₂, N₂, CH₄, and CO₂ at 35°C for pressures between 1 and 20 atm are reported as well as sorption isotherms for N₂, CH₄, and CO₂ at the same conditions. The permeability coefficients for TMCBPC are larger than corresponding values for the aromatic bisphenol-A polycarbonate (PC) and tetramethyl bisphenol-A polycarbonate (TMPC), even though the TMCBPC films are semicrystalline. These results are explained on the basis of the larger free volume available for permeation in this polymer. Significant TMCBPC plasticization by CO₂ was also observed and this causes typical time-dependent behavior. The plasticization process starts at very low pressures compared with the behavior of aromatic polycarbonates PC and TMPC. This early onset of plasticization seems to be related also to the larger free volume in the amorphous phase of TMCBPC which favors high gas sorption. The diffusion coefficients for TMCBPC are also larger than those reported for the aromatic polycarbonates PC and TMPC. Ideal gas separation factors were found to follow the usual trend; that is, as permeability increases, the ideal separation factor decreases. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Effects of gamma radiation on the photoluminescence properties of polycarbonate matrices doped with terbium complex

Luminescent films containing terbium complex [Tb(acac)₃(H₂O)₃] (acac=acetylacetonate) doped into a polycarbonate (PC) matrix were prepared and irradiated at low-dose gamma radiation with ratio of 5 and 10 kGy. The PC polymer was doped with 5% (w/w) of the Tb³⁺ complex. The thermal behavior was investigated by utilization of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry analysis (TGA). Changes in thermal stability due to the addition of doping agent into the polycarbonate matrix. Based on the emission spectra of PC:5% Tb(acac)₃ film were observed the characteristic bands arising from the ⁵D₄→⁷F_J transitions of Tb³⁺ ion (J=0–6), indicating the ability to obtain the luminescent films. Doped samples irradiated at low dose of gamma irradiation showed a decrease in luminescence intensity with increasing of the dose.     

Competitive permeation of gas and water vapour in high free volume polymeric membranes

Highly permeable glassy polymeric membranes based on poly (1‐trimethylsilyl‐1‐propyne) (PTMSP) and a polymer of intrinsic porosity (PIM‐1) were investigated for water sorption, water permeability and the separation of CO₂ from N₂ under humid mixed gas conditions. The water sorption isotherms for both materials followed behavior indicative of multilayer adsorption within the microvoids, with PIM‐1 registering a significant water uptake at very high water activities. Analysis of the sorption isotherms using a modified dual sorption model which accounts for such multilayer effects gave Langmuir affinity constants more consistent with lighter gases than the use of the standard dual mode approach. The water permeability through PTMSP and PIM‐1 was comparable over the water activities studied, and could be successfully model ed through a dual mode sorption model with a concentration dependent diffusivity. The water permeability through both membranes as a function of temperature was also measured, and found to be at a minimum at 80 ° C for PTMSP and 70 °C for PIM‐1. This temperature dependence is a function of reducing water solubility in both membranes with increasing temperature countered by increasing water diffusivity. The CO₂ ‐ N₂ mixed gas permeabilities through PTMSP and PIM‐1 were also measured and model ed through dual mode sorption theory. Introducing water vapour further reduced both the CO₂ and N₂ permeabilities. The plasticization potential of water in PTMSP was determined and indicated water swelled the membrane increasing CO₂ and N₂ diffusivity, while for PIM‐1 a negative potential implied that water filling of the microvoids hampered CO₂ and N₂ diffusion through the membrane. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2015 , 53, 719–728     

Measurement of the solubility of metal complexes in supercritical carbon dioxide using a UV–vis spectrometer

A new apparatus based on the circulation method was developed to measure the solubility of metal complexes in supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO₂) at a wide range of temperatures and pressures. A UV–vis spectrometer, which was connected to a small saturation cell through optical fibers, was used to determine solubility. The solubilities of cobalt(III) acetylacetonate (Co(acac)₃) and chromium(III) acetylacetonate (Cr(acac)₃) in scCO₂ were measured to check the validity of both the apparatus and the method and to accumulate new solubility data. The solubility data for Cr(acac)₃ obtained in this study were in good agreement with the data reported in the literature.The measured solubilities of Co(acac)₃ and Cr(acac)₃ were also correlated with the empirical equation including the three adjustable parameters, based on the equation proposed by Chrastil. The parameters were determined by fitting the equation to the experimental data for each metal complex and the calculated results closely replicated the experimental data.     

Dual-mode sorption kinetics of gases in glassy polymers

The transport of gases in many glassy polymers can be described satisfactorily by means of a “dual-mode sorption” model. The transport behavior observed with a given gas/polymer system can be characterized by the model parameters, which are obtained from solubility measurements in conjunction with absorption/desorption or permeability measurements. The present study discusses the inverse problem, namely, the prediction of the absorption/desorption behavior of a gas in a glassy polymer from a specified set of dual-mode sorption parameters. Satisfactory agreement is obtained between reported absorption rates of sulfur dioxide in glassy polycarbonate and of water vapor in Kapton® ?

1 ?Trademark of E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co.

and the rates predicted by the dual-mode sorption model. This study also confirms the consistency of the model.     

Pressure and temperature dependence of the gas‐transport properties of dense poly[2,6‐toluene‐2,2‐bis(3,4‐dicarboxylphenyl)hexafluoropropane diimide] membranes

The gas‐transport properties of poly[2,6‐toluene‐2,2‐bis(3,4‐dicarboxylphenyl)hexafluoropropane diimide] (6FDA‐2,6‐DAT) have been investigated. The sorption behavior of dense 6FDA‐2,6‐DAT membranes is well described by the dual‐mode sorption model and has certain relationships with the critical temperatures of the penetrants. The solubility coefficient decreases with an increase in either the pressure or temperature. The temperature dependence of the diffusivity coefficient increases with an increase in the penetrant size, as the order of the activation energy for the diffusion jump is CH₄ > N₂ > O₂ > CO₂. Also, the average diffusion coefficient increases with increasing pressure for all the gases tested. As a combined contribution from sorption and diffusion, permeability decreases with increases in the pressure and the kinetic diameter of the penetrant molecules. Even up to 32.7 atm, no plasticization phenomenon can be observed on flat dense 6FDA‐2,6‐DAT membranes from their permeability–pressure curves. However, just as for other gases, the absolute value of the heat of sorption of CO₂ decreases with increasing pressure at a low‐pressure range, but the trend changes when the feed pressure is greater than 10 atm. This implies that CO₂‐induced plasticization may occur and reduce the positive enthalpy required to create a site into which a penetrant can be sorbed. Therefore, a better diagnosis of the inherent threshold pressure for the plasticization of a glassy polymer membrane may involve examining the absolute value of the heat of sorption as a function of pressure and identifying the turning point at which the gradient of the absolute value of the heat of sorption against pressure turns from a negative value to a positive one. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 354–364, 2004