Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Sulaiman Aloraini, Michael Mathias, Jessica Crone, Kurtis Bryce, Ming Yu, Richard A. Kirk, Mohd Zamidi Ahmad, Edidiong D. Asuquo, Sandra Rico-Martinez, Alexey V. Volkov, Andrew B. Foster, Peter M. Budd
Summary: Branched forms of PIM-1 and PIM-Py can be crosslinked under ambient conditions using palladium acetate. The use of high dilution and a high set temperature in the polymerization reaction leads to the formation of branched PIM-1. The crosslinked PIM-1 and PIM-Py membranes exhibit sufficient stability in organic solvents and can be used for the pervaporation separation of toluene and DMSO.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Jorge Contreras-Martinez, Sajjad Mohsenpour, Ahmed W. Ameen, Peter M. Budd, Carmen Garcia-Payo, Mohamed Khayet, Patricia Gorgojo
Summary: Thin film composite (TFC) membranes based on the polymer of intrinsic microporosity (PIM-1) were successfully prepared on a porous electrospun polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nanofibrous support for efficient separation of n-butanol/water mixtures. The membranes exhibited high permeate fluxes and acceptable separation factors. Hybrid PV-distillation systems were designed to reduce butanol recovery cost compared to conventional distillation processes.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yang Pan, Yanan Guo, Jiangying Liu, Haipeng Zhu, Guining Chen, Quan Liu, Gongping Liu, Wanqin Jin
Summary: In this study, a new composite membrane was designed by reconstructing the conformation of PDMS, significantly improving separation efficiency and flux. This strategy of designing membranes with customized permeants opens up new avenues for developing membranes for specific separation targets.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
L. E. Starannikova, A. Yu. Alentiev, R. Yu. Nikiforov, I. I. Ponomarev, I. V. Blagodatskikh, A. Yu. Nikolaev, V. P. Shantarovich, Yu. P. Yampolskii
Summary: A new procedure was used to synthesize PIM-1 polymer, which was then subjected to various treatments to study its permeability and free volume. The results showed that the novel PIM-1 has higher permeability but lower selectivity compared to traditional methods, and different treatments had significant impacts on gas permeability and selectivity.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Qiang Ma, Xu Wang, Hua Jin, Shengwei Feng, Wei Fang, Yanshuo Li
Summary: ZIF-8 membrane shows promising performance in pervaporation separation of liquid C3H6/C3H8 mixture, with controllable C3H6 permeances and high separation factors under industrial conditions. Through refining the preparation method, ZIF-8 membrane exhibits excellent permeability and separation stability, indicating its great potential in energy-intensive C3H6/C3H8 separation.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Banseok Oh, Kyunam Kim, YongSung Kwon, You-In Park, Hosik Park, Dong-Yeun Koh
Summary: This study utilizes membrane pervaporation to recover ethylene glycol by dehydrating water from a mixture of ethylene glycol and water. Two hydrophilic derivatives from the polymer of intrinsic microporosity (PIM-1) were suggested as feasible membrane materials, which showed increased water sorption capacity and tenfold greater water permeability compared to pure PIM-1. The modified membranes retained a water content of 99.9% in the permeate, demonstrating a simple method for modifying suitable dehydration materials while maintaining the original polymer's structural quality.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Weiyao Han, Caili Zhang, Min Zhao, Fan Yang, Yang Yang, Yunxuan Weng
Summary: Post-modification of the chemical structures of PIM-1 using methane sulfonic acid (MSA) can enhance the gas separation performance of PIM-1 membranes by improving gas pair selectivity and permeability. This method involves hydrolysis, crosslinking, and in situ synthesis of porous polymer networks (PPNs) in a one-step process, resulting in membranes with excellent CO2 separation properties.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Tahreem Hafeez Butt, Rahma Tamime, Peter M. Budd, Wayne J. Harrison, Zufishan Shamair, Asim Laeeq Khan
Summary: Novel mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) were fabricated by incorporating bimetallic Zn/Co-ZIF nanoparticles into the prototypical polymer of intrinsic microporosity (PIM-1). The addition of Zn/Co-ZIF nanoparticles enhanced the hydrophobicity of the MMMs and improved the separation performance of ethanol/water and butanol/water mixtures. It was found that Zn/Co-ZIF/PIM-20 wt% membrane showed the highest separation and flux among all the membranes tested.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Faiz Almansour, Monica Alberto, Rupesh S. Bhavsar, Xiaolei Fan, Peter M. Budd, Patricia Gorgojo
Summary: Physical aging is a major obstacle for the commercialization of PIM-1 membranes for gas separation applications. A regeneration method using alcohol vapors was developed to recover permeability of aged PIM-1 membranes, showing that an 8-hour methanol vapor treatment was sufficient to recover the original gas permeability.
FRONTIERS OF CHEMICAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Ida Ostergren, Amir Masoud Pourrahimi, Iwan Darmadi, Robson da Silva, Alicja Stolas, Sarah Lerch, Barbara Berke, Manuel Guizar-Sicairos, Marianne Liebi, Giacomo Foli, Vincenzo Palermo, Matteo Minelli, Kasper Moth-Poulsen, Christoph Langhammer, Christian Muller
Summary: Hydrogen sensors produced using melt-processed nanocomposites with high diffusion coefficients exhibit fast response times, enabling efficient hydrogen detection and paving the way for a new generation of robust H-2 sensors.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Masatoshi Kishi, Kenji Tanaka, Mako Tagawa, Shinichi Akizuki, Tatsuki Toda
Summary: This study demonstrates an effective and energy-efficient mass cultivation method using a novel gas-permeable reactor, which enables high productivity and photosynthetic efficiency of Arthrospira platensis under limited mixing and aeration conditions.
ALGAL RESEARCH-BIOMASS BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lujian Jia, Guanghu He, Yan Zhang, Juergen Caro, Heqing Jiang
Summary: The development of a dual-phase membrane with excellent chemical stability and mixed conductivity for hydrogen purification at high temperatures has shown the potential for stable production of high-purity hydrogen.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Wei-Min Liu, Heng Mao, Yu-Jie Wang, Shen-Hui Li, Ying-Nan Feng, Li-Hao Xu, Sen Wang, Chan Pei, Zhi-Ping Zhao
Summary: A novel approach of fabricating PDMS@ZIF-8/PVDF hollow fiber composite membrane (HFCM) modules for ethanol-water separation was presented in this study. The as-prepared membrane exhibited an ultrathin separation layer achieved through precise regulation of the ZIF-8 membrane and defect repair by PDMS infusion. At the optimal packing density, the membrane showed remarkable ethanol flux with high PSI value and promising long-term stability for pervaporation.
Article
Polymer Science
Ming Yu, Andrew B. Foster, Colin A. Scholes, Sandra E. Kentish, Peter M. Budd
Summary: Physical aging of glassy polymers reduces permeability over time, hindering the industrial application of high free volume polymers in membrane gas separation. This study demonstrates that storing PIM-1 TFC membranes in methanol vapor effectively retards physical aging and can also be used to refresh aged membranes, with one-week storage being sufficient to recover most of the original CO2 permeance.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Boya Qiu, Monica Alberto, Sajjad Mohsenpour, Andrew B. Foster, Shengzhe Ding, Zunmin Guo, Shaojun Xu, Stuart M. Holmes, Peter M. Budd, Xiaolei Fan, Patricia Gorgojo
Summary: In this work, thin film nanocomposite (TFN) membranes of super-glassy polymer PIM-1 containing zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8)/graphene oxide (GO) composites (ZG) have been prepared. These membranes achieve higher flux and improved separation factors compared to bare PIM-1 membranes. The excellent performance is attributed to the defect-free PIM-1 active layer and the hydrophobic nature of the ZG fillers.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Haoli Zhou, Christopher Rayer, Ariana R. Antonangelo, Natasha Hawkins, Mariolino Carta
Summary: In this study, a series of hyper-cross-linked polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIMs) with high CO2 uptake and good selectivity were designed, synthesized, and characterized. The functionalization of the starting hydrocarbon polymers led to improved adsorption selectivity towards CO2. The insertion of functional groups resulted in a decrease in porosity but an increase in CO2 uptake and selectivity. The findings have significant implications for carbon capture and biogas upgrading.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Yuanzhu Zhao, Lina Wang, Richard Malpass-Evans, Neil B. McKeown, Mariolino Carta, John P. Lowe, Catherine L. Lyall, Remi Castaing, Philip J. Fletcher, Gabriele Kociok-Kohn, Jannis Wenk, Zhenyu Guo, Frank Marken
Summary: In this study, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) was embedded into a polymer host to create recoverable photocatalysts with enhanced hydrogen peroxide production.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Marcello Monteleone, Alessio Fuoco, Elisa Esposito, Ian Rose, Jie Chen, Bibiana Comesana-Gandara, C. Grazia Bezzu, Mariolino Carta, Neil G. McKeown, Maxim V. Shalygin, Vladimir Teplyakov, Johannes Carolus Jansen
Summary: This paper reports the use of a mass-spectrometric residual gas analyser to study the transient phase of mixed gas transport through different membrane materials. The computational analysis of the entire permeation curve allows for the calculation of mixed gas diffusion coefficients and the identification of non-Fickian diffusion or other anomalous behavior. Comparative analysis of different methods and instruments provides insights into the transport properties of different membrane materials and helps in the development of novel membranes.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Neil B. McKeown
Summary: Based on almost 20 years of published research, this study explores the structure-property relationships of Polymers of Intrinsic Microporosity (PIMs). By analyzing the structure of the archetypal PIM-1 and its contribution to properties, it examines the solubility, thermal properties, gas adsorption, and gas permeability of recently prepared PIMs.
CURRENT OPINION IN CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sonia La Cognata, Riccardo Mobili, Chiara Milanese, Massimo Boiocchi, Mattia Gaboardi, Donatella Armentano, Johannes C. Jansen, Marcello Monteleone, Ariana R. Antonangelo, Mariolino Carta, Valeria Amendola
Summary: Two novel imide/imine-based organic cages were prepared and studied as materials for selective separation of CO2 from N-2 and CH4. The cages showed selectivity for CO2 over N-2 and CH4 in gas adsorption and membrane filling, leading to improved gas transport properties and CO2 selectivity in mixed-matrix membranes.
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shao-Lu Li, Guoliang Chang, Yangzheng Huang, Ken Kinooka, Yanting Chen, Wenming Fu, Genghao Gong, Tomohisa Yoshioka, Neil B. McKeown, Yunxia Hu
Summary: This study describes the fabrication of hyper-crosslinked, microporous polymer nanofilms using two 2,2'-biphenol derivatives, which exhibit high permeance and small solutes selectivity for improved organic solvent nanofiltration. The membranes show exceptional permselectivity performances with precise separation of small dye mixtures based on charge and molecular size.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Editorial Material
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
S. La Cognata, R. Mobili, C. Milanese, M. Boiocchi, M. Gaboardi, D. Armentano, J. C. Jansen, M. Monteleone, A. R. Antonangelo, M. Carta, V Amendola
Summary: This article presents a novel imide/imine organic cage for the selective separation of CO2 from N-2 and CH4 in mixed-matrix membranes.
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Zhongkai Li, Philip J. Fletcher, Mariolino Carta, Neil B. McKeown, Frank Marken
Summary: Intrinsically microporous polyamines (PIM-EA-TB) can switch from a low ionic conductivity state to semipermeable anion conductivity through micropores by binding protons. The ionic conductivity in PIM-EA-TB films is lowered in ethanol media compared to aqueous environments, but can switch from insulating to anionic diode behavior in the presence of protons. This behavior is also observed with Cu2+ but not with other cations such as Na+, K+, and Mg2+.
JOURNAL OF ELECTROANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jie Chen, Mariagiulia Longo, Alessio Fuoco, Elisa Esposito, Marcello Monteleone, Bibiana Comesana Gandara, Johannes Carolus Jansen, Neil B. McKeown
Summary: Dibenzomethanopentacene (DBMP) is a useful component for making Polymers of Intrinsic Microporosity (PIMs), which can be used to create efficient gas separation membranes. Compared to the archetypal PIM-1, DBMP incorporation enhances both gas permeability and ideal selectivity. Long-term studies show that DBMP-containing PIMs have less reduction in gas permeabilities during aging, making them attractive for fabricating membranes for efficient gas separations.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Lina Wang, Mariolino Carta, Richard Malpass-Evans, Neil B. McKeown, Philip J. Fletcher, Pedro Estrela, Alberto Roldan, Frank Marken
Summary: Surface cavities formed by molecularly rigid polymers affect catalytic processes, and palladium nanoparticles catalyze the oxidative color change of a dye through the production of H2O2. The study investigates the rate-limiting step in the oxygen reduction reaction on palladium nanoparticles and their role in the catalytic production of H2O2. Additionally, the presence of ammonium sites in the molecularly rigid polymer enhances both formate oxidation and oxygen reduction reactions.
JOURNAL OF CATALYSIS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Peipei Zuo, Chunchun Ye, Zhongren Jiao, Jian Luo, Junkai Fang, Ulrich S. Schubert, Neil B. McKeown, T. Leo Liu, Zhengjin Yang, Tongwen Xu
Summary: The development of efficient ion-transport membranes is crucial for improving separation processes and electrochemical technologies. We have designed synthetic membranes with covalently bonded polymer frameworks that achieve near-frictionless ion flow through rigidly confined ion channels. These membranes have the potential to greatly enhance the performance of electrochemical devices and molecular separation.
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Tereza Edlova, Adrien T. Normand, Helene Cattey, Stephane Brandes, Yue Wu, Ariana Antonangelo, Benjamin Theron, Quentin Bonnin, Mariolino Carta, Pierre Le Gendre
Summary: Four cationic amidotitanocene complexes were synthesised and undergo Ti-N bond homolysis under visible light irradiation. Complexes 1a-c catalyse the polymerisation of phenylsilane to yield branched polysilane polymers with controlled molecular weights and dispersity indexes. Previously reported Group 4 cationic amidometallocene complexes were tested in the hydrosilylation reaction, with IIa showing higher selectivity and activity.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Zhongkai Li, John P. Lowe, Philip J. Fletcher, Mariolino Carta, Neil B. Mckeown, Frank Marken
Summary: This study investigates the tuning of electroosmotic water flow in molecularly rigid polymers with internal charges by adjusting the charge density. The results showed that the number of water molecules transported per anion increased with a lower degree of methylation. The study also demonstrated net water transport in a coupled anionic diode circuit.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Akalya Karunakaran, Katie J. Francis, Chris R. Bowen, Richard J. Ball, Yuanzhu Zhao, Lina Wang, Neil B. McKeown, Mariolino Carta, Philip J. Fletcher, Remi Castaing, Mark A. Isaacs, Laurence J. Hardwick, Gema Cabello, Igor V. Sazanovich, Frank Marken
Summary: A blue light mediated photochemical process using solid graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) in ambient air/isopropanol vapour is suggested to produce nanophase water inclusions, which can generate approximately 50 μmol H2O2 per gram of g-C3N4. This H2O2 can be stored in the solid g-C3N4 for later release in applications such as disinfection or anti-bacterial surfaces.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Electrochemistry
Maisa Azevedo Beluomini, Yu Wang, Lina Wang, Mariolino Carta, Neil B. McKeown, Simon M. Wikeley, Tony D. James, Pablo Lozano-Sanchez, Marco Caffio, Nelson Ramos Stradiotto, Maria Valnice Boldrin Zanoni, Frank Marken
Summary: 3D-graphene foam electrodes immersed in a phosphate buffer solution of pH 7 generate hydrogen peroxide at a significantly faster rate in the presence of nanoparticulate polymer PIM-1. The release of oxygen from PIM-1 at the electrode-solution interface quadruples H2O2 production.
ELECTROCHEMISTRY COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
