Chromatographic and adsorption properties of the mixed stationary phase poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne)/poly(1-phenyl-1-propyne)

Adsorption and chromatographic properties of the mixed stationary phase poly-(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne)/poly(1-phenyl-1-propyne) (PTMSP/PPP) composed as 97: 3 by weight have been investigated by methods of low-temperature nitrogen adsorption and gas chromatography on packed columns. The resultant phase has uniform mesoporous structure. The chromatographic properties of the mixed phase are significantly different from the properties of the original porous polymers PTMSP and PPP. The adsorbent obtained by modifying Chromosorb P NAW with a mixture of polymers provides the selective separation of chlorosubstituted, saturated, and aromatic hydrocarbons.     

Polymer characterization and gas permeability of poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) [PTMSP], poly(1-phenyl-1-propyne) [PPP], and PTMSP/PPP blends

Pure gas and hydrocarbon vapor transport properties of blends of two glassy, polyacetylene-based polymers, poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) [PTMSP] and poly(1-phenyl-1-propyne) [PPP], have been determined. Solid-state CP/MAS NMR proton rotating frame relaxation times were determined in the pure polymers and the blends. NMR studies show that PTMSP and PPP form strongly phase-separated blends. The permeabilities of the pure polymers and each blend were determined with hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and n-butane. PTMSP exhibits unusual gas and vapor transport properties which result from its extremely high free volume. PTMSP is more permeable to large organic vapors, such as n-butane, than to small, permanent gases, such as hydrogen. PPP exhibits gas permeation characteristics of conventional low free volume glassy polymers; PPP is more permeable to hydrogen than to n-butane. In PTMSP/PPP blends, both n-butane permeability and n-butane/hydrogen selectivity increase as the PTMSP content of the blends increases. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Chromatographic properties of poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne)

Changes in the properties of the surface of poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) (PTMSP) over time were studied by gas chromatography combined with adsorption under static conditions. It was ascertained that a reduction in the volume of micropores in a polymer results in the sorption-desorption processes occurring preferentially in mesopores. The formation of a more chemically uniform surface leads to a considerable increase in the symmetry of chromatographic peaks and the efficiency of a column. These changes allow us to broaden the range of compounds analyzed on columns with PTMSP.     

Hydrocarbon/hydrogen mixed gas permeation in poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) (PTMSP), poly(1-phenyl-1-propyne) (PPP), and PTMSP/PPP blends

The gas permeation properties of poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) (PTMSP), poly(1-phenyl-1-propyne) (PPP), and blends of PTMSP and PPP have been determined with hydrocarbon/hydrogen mixtures. For a glassy polymer, PTMSP has unusual gas permeation properties which result from its very high free volume. Transport in PPP is similar to that observed in conventional, low-free-volume glassy polymers. In experiments with n-butane/hydrogen gas mixtures, PTMSP and PTMSP/PPP blend membranes were more permeable to n-butane than to hydrogen. PPP, on the other hand, was more permeable to hydrogen than to n-butane. As the PTMSP composition in the blend increased from 0 to 100%, n-butane permeability increased by a factor of 2600, and n-butane/hydrogen selectivity increased from 0.4 to 24. Thus, both hydrocarbon permeability and hydrocarbon/hydrogen selectivity increase with the PTMSP content in the blend. The selectivities measured with gas mixtures were markedly higher than selectivities calculated from the corresponding ratio of pure gas permeabilities. The difference between mixed gas and pure gas selectivity becomes more pronounced as the PTMSP content in the blend increases. The mixed gas selectivities are higher than pure gas selectivities because the hydrogen permeability in the mixture is much lower than the pure hydrogen permeability. For example, the hydrogen permeability in PTMSP decreased by a factor of 20 as the relative propane pressure (p/p_sat) in propane/hydrogen mixtures increased from 0 to 0.8. This marked reduction in permanent gas permeability in the presence of a more condensable hydrocarbon component is reminiscent of blocking of permanent gas transport in microporous materials by preferential sorption of the condensable component in the pores. The permeability of PTMSP to a five-component hydrocarbon/hydrogen mixture, similar to that found in refinery waste gas, was determined and compared with published permeation results for a 6-Å microporous carbon membrane. PTMSP exhibited lower selectivities than those of the carbon membrane, but permeability coefficients in PTMSP were nearly three orders of magnitude higher. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Pure hydrocarbon sorption properties of poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) (PTMSP), poly(1-phenyl-1-propyne) (PPP), and PTMSP/PPP blends

Propane and n-butane sorption in blends of poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) (PTMSP) and poly(1-phenyl-1-propyne) (PPP) have been determined. Solubilities of propane and n-butane increased as the PTMSP content in the blends increased. This result is consistent with the higher free volume of PTMSP-rich blends and the better thermodynamic compatibility between PTMSP and these hydrocarbons. Propane and n-butane sorption isotherms were well described by the dual-mode model for sorption in glassy polymers. PTMSP/PPP blends are strongly phase-separated, heterogeneous materials. A noninteracting domain model developed for sorption in phase-separated glassy polymer blends suggests that sorption in the Henry's law regions (i.e., the equilibrium, dense phase of the blends) is consistent with the model. However, Langmuir capacity parameters in the blends are lower than predicted from the domain model, suggesting that the amount of nonequilibrium excess free volume associated with the Langmuir sites depends on blend composition. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Determining the vinyl alcohol distribution in poly(vinyl butyral) using normal-phase gradient polymer elution chromatography

The application of film-forming organic polymers, which are in common use in membrane technology, as chromatographic adsorbents for packed and capillary columns has been suggested. The chromatographic characteristics of poly[1-(trimethylsilyl)-1-propine] (PTMSP) as an adsorbent were studied. The film-forming properties of PTMSP simplify manufacturing of capillary and packed gas–solid columns. It was shown that separation of C₁–C₄ hydrocarbon gases on the columns with PTMSP is of practical interest. In the authors’ opinion, PTMSP is also promising for the separation of inorganic gases.     

Chromatographic properties of poly(1-phenyl-1-propyne)

The chromatographic properties of poly(1-phenyl-1-propyne) (PPP) were studied by separating the C₁–C₁₀ hydrocarbons, alcohols, aromatic, and sulfur-bearing compounds. The influence of the phase percentage for polymer adsorbent (Polysorb-1) on the process of component retention was investigated. A comparison of PPP and the nonpolar liquid phase SE-52 widely used in gas chromatography was performed.     

Study of poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) aging by gas chromatography

The possibilities of gas chromatography for determination of physicochemical properties of the surface are demonstrated. Changes in the surface properties of poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) (PTMSP) with time were investigated. It was found that with the lapse of time the sorption-desorption processes proceed mainly in mesopores due to decreasing the polymer micropore volume. The formation of a chemically more uniform surface strongly increases the symmetry of chromatographic peaks and the column efficiency.     

Macrochain configuration, stucture of free volume and transport properties of poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) and poly(1-trimethylgermyl-1-propyne)

The relationship between poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) (PTMSP) and poly(1-trimethylgermyl-1-propyne) (PTMGP) microstructure, gas permeability and structure of free volume is reported. n-Butane/methane mixed-gas permeation properties of PTMSP and PTMGP membranes with different cis-/trans-composition have been investigated. The n-butane/methane selectivities for mixed gas are by an order higher than the selectivities calculated from pure gas measurements (the mixed-gas n-butane/methane selectivities are 20?C40 for PTMSP and 22?C35 for PTMGP). Gas permeability and n-butane/methane selectivity essentially differ in polymers with different cis-/trans-composition. Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy investigation of PTMSP and PTMGP with different microstructure has determined distinctions in total amount and structure of free volume, i.e. distribution of free volume elements. The correlation between total amount of free volume and gas transport parameters is established: PTMSP and PTMGP with bigger free volume exhibit higher n-butane permeability and mixed-gas n-butane/methane selectivity. Such behavior is discussed in relation to the submolecular structure of polymers with different microstructure and sorption of n-butane in polymers with different free volume.     

Capillary Columns with a Sorbent Based on Functionalized Poly(1-Trimethylsilyl-1-Propyne) for the Elution Analysis of Natural Gas

Russian Journal of Physical Chemistry A - The chromatographic properties of capillary columns prepared using functionalized poly(1- trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) (PTMSP) are evaluated and compared with...     

Phase equilibrium and rheology of poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) solutions

The phase equilibrium and rheological properties of poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) solutions obtained with tantalum catalysts are studied. For three polymers with different molecular masses, phase diagrams are determined in a number of solvents. From these diagrams, the Hansen solubility parameters of poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) are calculated by the method proposed in this work. Dilute solutions of poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) behave as Newtonian liquids, whereas the viscosity of viscoelastic concentrated systems decreases as the shear rate grows. The molecular and rheological characteristics of studied poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) samples are compared with the samples prepared with NbCl₅ catalysts. Poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) obtained with a catalytic system involving tantalum pentachloride is characterized by high intrinsic viscosity and solution viscosity compared to poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) prepared with niobium catalyst. The difference in properties is due to the dissimilar ratios of cis and trans units in the samples.     

Cross-linking of poly[1-(trimethylsilyl)-1-propyne] membranes using bis(aryl azides)

Cross-linkable poly[1-(trimethylsilyl)-1-propyne] (PTMSP) films were cast from toluene solutions containing PTMSP and either 4,4′-diazidobenzophenone or 4,4′-(hexafluoroisopropylidene)diphenyl azide. The composite films were clear and homogeneous and were cross-linked by UV irradiation at room temperature or thermal annealing at 180°C. Low levels of the bis(aryl azide) (1–5 wt %) were effective in rendering the films insoluble in toluene and THF, both good solvents for PTMSP. The process is simple and effective, and thus PTMSP can be readily converted to mechanically stable membranes with permeabilities and separation factors comparable or higher than those of poly(dimethylsiloxane). The films were characterized by measuring their density, their permeability toward O₂ and N₂, and their spectroscopic properties. Compared to PTMSP, films containing bis(aryl azide) cross-linkers had lower permeabilities and higher separation factors, consistent with a reduction in free volume. When the films were cross-linked photochemically, the permeabilities declined further and the separation factor increased. Films cross-linked thermally had permeabilities comparable to their PTMSP/azide precursors, and density and swelling measurements suggest that higher free volumes are obtained in thermally cross-linked films. All films stored in air suffered from a slow decline in permeability which may reflect slow surface oxidation of the films. When stored in vacuum, cross-linked films were stable and showed no loss in permeability, but the permeability of uncross-linked PTMSP films stored under the same conditions fell to 70% of their original value in 1 month. We attribute the permeability decline to densification accelerated by impurities and solvents. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 36: 959–968, 1998     

Extraction of butanol from aqueous solutions by pervaporation through poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne)

Poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) (PTMSP) was synthesized using a TaCl₅–Al(i-Bu)₃ catalysis system. Pervaporation and sorption of n-butanol–water mixtures were studied, and the peculiarities of water and butanol co-permeation are discussed. The strong dependence of water partial flux (with a minimum at 1 wt.% butanol in feed) on butanol concentration in feed was observed. S-shaped isotherms of butanol and total sorption were found for PTMSP in 0–1 wt.% concentration range. It appears that blocking of PTMSP nanopores by high sorbing organic molecules controls the pervaporation of butanol from dilute aqueous solutions. Data are discussed in regard with PTMSP morphology.     

Transport of organic vapors through poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne)

Poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) [PTMSP], a high-free-volume glassy polymer, has the highest gas permeability of any known synthetic polymer. In contrast to conventional, low-free-volume, glassy polymers, PTMSP is more permeable to large, condensable organic vapors than to permanent gases. The organic-vapor/permanent-gas selectivity of PTMSP based on pure gas measurements is low. In organic-vapor/permanent-gas mixtures, however, the selectivity of PTMSP is much higher because the permeability of the permanent gas is reduced dramatically by the presence of the organic vapor. For example, in n-butane/methane mixtures, as little as 2 mol% n-butane (relative n-butane pressure 0.16) lowers the methane permeability 10-fold from the pure methane permeability. The result is that PTMSP shows a mixed-gas n-butane/methane selectivity of 30. This selectivity is the highest ever observed for this mixture and is completely unexpected for a glassy polymer. In addition, the gas mixture n-butane permeability of PTMSP is considerably higher than that of any known polymer, including polydimethylsiloxane, the most vapor-permeable rubber known. PTMSP also shows high mixed-gas selectivities and vapor permeabilities for the separation of chlorofluorocarbons from nitrogen. The unusual vapor permeation properties of PTMSP result from its very high free volume - more than 20% of the total volume of the material. The free volume elements appear to be connected, forming the equivalent of a finely microporous material. The large amount of condensable organic vapor sorbed into this finely porous structure causes partial blocking of the small free-volume elements, reducing the permeabilities of the noncondensable permanent gases from their pure gas values.     

Membranes for gas separation based on poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne)–silica nanocomposites

Nanocomposite membranes based on poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) (PTMSP) and silica were synthesized by sol–gel copolymerization of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) with different organoalkoxysilanes in tetrahydrofuran solutions of PTMSP. The influence of the synthesis parameters (type and concentration of organoalkoxysilanes, temperature and time) on the silica conversion and the gas permeation performance of PTMSP–silica nanocomposite membranes was investigated and discussed in this paper. The nanocomposite membranes were characterized by single and mixed gas permeation, thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy. The butane permeability and the butane/methane selectivity increased simultaneously when high silica conversion was obtained and the size of particle was in the range 20–40 nm. For the sake of comparison, nanocomposite membranes based on PTMSP were also prepared by dispersing silica particles with different functional groups into the PTMSP casting solution. The addition of fillers to the polymer matrix can be performed up to a higher content of silica (30% silica-filled PTMSP in contrast to 6 wt.% for the in situ-generated silica). In this case, the simultaneous increase in butane permeability and butane/methane selectivity was significantly higher when compared to the nanocomposite membranes prepared by sol–gel process. The addition of fillers with 50% of surface modification with hydrophobic groups (Si–C₈H₁₇ and Si–C₁₆H₃₃) seems not to lead to a significant increase of the butane/methane selectivity and butane permeability when compared to the silica with hydrophilic surface groups, probably because of the unfavorable polymer/filler interaction, leading to an agglomeration of the long n-alkyl groups at the surface of the polymer. An increase of butane permeability up to six-fold of unfilled polymer was obtained.     

Chemical modification of poly(substituted-acetylene): II. Pervaporation of ethanol / water mixture through poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) / poly(dimethylsiloxane) graft copolymer membrane

Poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne)/poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PTMSP/PDMS) graft copolymer was prepared to evaluate the permeation characteristic at pervaporation of aqueous ethanol solution through the graft copolymer membrane. For the preparation of PTMSP/PDMS graft copolymer, an improved synthetic procedure was released in this paper, which comprised a one-pot reaction of PTMSP in lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide followed by treatment with hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane and trimethylchlorosilane. PDMS content of the graft copolymer was controlled in the range 5–74 mol%. Very tough and thin membranes could be prepared from these copolymers having various PDMS content by the solvent casting method. The permselectivity of the membranes was investigated by pervaporation of ethanol/water mixture at 30°C. Preferential permeation of ethanol was observed for the membranes. It was also found that the selectivity of every copolymer membrane was higher than that of the PTMSP membrane. Moreover, the selectivity depended on the PDMS content of the graft copolymer. The separation factor and permeation rate assumed the maximum values at 12 mol% PDMS content. At the maximum point, 7 wt% aqueous ethanol solution was concentrated to about 70 wt% ethanol solution, and the separation factor and permeation rate were 28.3 and 2.45 × 10^?3g · m/m² · h, respectively. Such a high permselectivity for ethanol might be due to a delicate alteration of membrane structure, which was induced by the introduction of a short PDMS side chain into a PTMSP backbone.     

Effects of solvent in the casting of poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) membranes

Poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) (PTMSP) membranes were fabricated by solvent casting from solutions of toluene, cyclohexane and tetrahydrofuran. The effects of the casting solvent on the physical structure of PTMSP were investigated using wide angle X-ray diffraction and positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy. The permeability of oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide through the cast membranes was also measured. It was found that the nature of the casting solvent markedly influenced the conformation and the free volume of PTMSP, which in turn affected the gas permeability of the cast membranes.     

Chemical modification of poly(vinyltrimethylsilane) and poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) using highly reactive metallating systems

Poly(vinyltrimethylsilane) and poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) are metallated using normal and secondary butyllithium chelate complexes with tetramethylethylenediamine and superbases based on complexes of normal and secondary butyllithium with potassium tert-pentoxide as metallating agents. Optimal conditions ensuring metallation of poly(vinyltrimethylsilane) and poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) with a high yield without degradation of macrochains are determined. Poly(vinyltrimethylsilane) and poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) are functionalized via reactions of metallated polymers with CO₂, trimethylsilyl chlorosulfone, diethyl disulfide, and ethylene oxide. COOH, SO₃H, OH, and thioester groups are introduced into poly(vinyltrimethylsilane), and SO₃H and COOH groups are incorporated into poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne). Upon introduction of carboxyl groups into poly(vinyltrimethylsilane), its hydrophilicity and permselectivity with respect to H₂O/N₂, H₂O/H₂, and H₂O/CH₄ pairs increase. The introduction of SO₃H groups into poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) and poly(vinyltrimethylsilane) leads to the appearance of proton conductivity of these polymers.     

Crosslinking poly[1-(trimethylsilyl)-1-propyne] and its effect on physical stability

Poly[1-(trimethylsilyl)-1-propyne] (PTMSP) has been crosslinked using 3,3′-diazidodiphenylsulfone to improve its solvent resistance and physical stability. This study reports the influence of crosslinking on N₂, O₂ and CH₄ gas permeabilities and fractional free volume (FFV) as a function of time. Crosslinking PTMSP renders it insoluble even in excellent solvents for the uncrosslinked polymer. The gas permeability and FFV of uncrosslinked and crosslinked PTMSP decreased over time, so crosslinking PTMSP does not arrest physical aging. The addition of 10 wt.% polysiloxysilsesquioxanes (POSS) nanoparticles decreased the permeability of PTMSP by 55%, and the permeability and FFV values were stable over time for PTMSP films containing 10 wt.% POSS nanoparticles. The permeability of PTMSP at a given FFV was greater than that of other substituted polyacetylenes, polysulfones or polycarbonates, which is consistent with differences in the arrangement of free volume in these polymers, as probed by positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS). Ellipsometry was used to characterize physical aging of thin (400 nm) uncrosslinked and crosslinked PTMSP films supported on silicon wafers. The ellipsometry results showed that crosslinking does not markedly slow physical aging of thin PTMSP films.     

Gas transport in TiO2 nanoparticle-filled poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne)

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles were dispersed via solution processing in poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) (PTMSP) to form nanocomposite films. Nanoparticle dispersion was investigated using atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. At low-particle loadings, nanoparticles were dispersed individually and in nanoscale aggregates. At high-particle loadings, some nanoparticles formed micron-sized aggregates. The gas transport and density exhibited a strong dependence on nanoparticle loading. At low-TiO₂ loadings, the composite density was similar to or slightly higher than that predicted by a two-phase additive model. However, at particle loadings exceeding approximately 7 nominal vol.%, the density was markedly lower than predicted, suggesting that the particles induced the creation of void space within the nanocomposite. For example, when the TiO₂ nominal volume fraction was 0.35, the polymer/particle composite density was 40% lower than expected based on a two-phase additive model for density. At low-nanoparticle loading, light gas permeability was lower than that of the unfilled polymer. At higher nanoparticle loadings, light gas permeability (i.e., CO₂, N₂, and CH₄) increased to more than four times higher than in unfilled PTMSP. At most, selectivity changed only slightly with particle loading.