Packing density and gas permeability of copolyimides containing bicyclo[2,2,2]oct-7-ene-2,3,5,6-tetracarboxylic dianhydride constituent

Packing density and gas permeability of two copolyimide series containing an alicyclic monomer, bicyclo2,2,2]oct-7-ene-2,3,5,6-tetracarboxylic dianhydride (BCDA), and a fluorinated monomer, hexafluoroisopropylidene,2,2-bis(phthalic acid anhydride) (6FDA), were measured. Incorporation of a rigid BCDA segment in 6FDA polyimides either increases gas permeability or improves gas selectivity, depending on the base 6FDA polyimide. In the case of the highly gas permeable 6FDA polyimide, introduction of BCDA further increases gas permeability despite a loss in the amount of free volume. In the moderately gas permeable 6FDA polyimide, on the other hand, the introduction improves gas selectivity. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.