Organic–inorganic membranes prepared from polyether diamine and epoxy silane

Pebax-Based Composite Membranes with High Transport Properties Enhanced by ZIF-8 for CO2 Separation

A series of mixed matrix membranes containing poly (ether-block-amide) Pebax 1657 as matrix and polyethylene glycol (PEG) and Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8 (ZIF-8) as additives, were prepared and tested for CO₂ separation. The membranes were prepared by solvent evaporation method and were characterized by TGA, DSC, SEM, and gas permeation measurements. The effects of PEG and its molecular weight, and the percentage of ZIF-8 into Pebax matrix were investigated. The results showed that the addition of PEG to Pebax/ZIF-8 blends avoid the agglomeration of ZIF-8 particles. A synergic effect between PEG and ZIF was particularly observed for high ZIF-8 content, because the initial permeability of pristine Pebax was multiplied by three (from 54 to 161 Barrers) while keeping the CO₂ selectivity (α_CO2/N2 = 61, α_CO2/CH4 = 12 and α_CO2/O2 = 23). Finally, the mechanism of CO₂ transport is essentially governed by the solubility of CO₂ into the membranes. Therefore, this new Pebax/PEG/ZIF-8 system seems to be a promising approach to develop new selective membranes for CO₂ with high permeability.

Tailoring Crosslinked Polyether Networks for Separation of CO2 from Light Gases

Crosslinked poly(ethylene oxide) or poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) is an ideal membrane material for separation of CO₂ from light gases (e.g., H₂ , N₂ , O₂ , CH₄ etc). In these membranes, crosslinking is used as a tool to suppress crystallinity of the PEG segments. In spite of the extensive effort to develop crosslinked PEG membranes in the last two decades, it remains a challenge to establish the structure-property relationships. This paper points out the fundamental limitations to correlate the chain topology of a network with the gas permeation mechanism. While a quantitative comparison of the molecular weight between crosslinks of networks and gas permeation mechanism reported by different research groups is challenging, effort is made to draw a qualitative picture. In this review, a focus is also put on the progress of utilization of dangling chain fractions to tailor the gas permeation behavior of PEG networks.

Functionalized CNTs with DOPO and Silicon Containing Agents: Effective Reinforcer for Thermal and Flame Retardant Properties of Polystyrene Nanocomposites

DOPO and silicon containing agents modified multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MCNTs) were synthesized through sol-gel process and MCNTs are introduced into polystyrene (PS) through in situ polymerization. TEM observations and FTIR results of MCNTs demonstrated that the MCNT nanofillers were coated with the organic/inorganic flame retardant compound. Moreover, the TEM results of the composites indicate that MCNTs dispersed in polystyrene PS matrix uniformly due to the modification. The PS/MCNTs composites showed improved thermal stability as well as flame retardant properties in comparison with PS/CNTs composites, which are due to the good dispersion of MCNT in the PS matrix. MCNTs in the PS matrix can also reduce the peak heat release rate, total heat release and improve the smoke suppression performance. The improved flame retardant properties are attributed to the char reinforcing effect of CNTs, which can provide enough time for MCNTs and organic/inorganic compound to trap the degradation of polymer chains and catalyze the formation of char. The char layers can not only serve as an efficient insulating barrier to reduce the exposure of PS matrix to heat source but also retard the releasing of combustible gas.

A Novel Green Synthesis Method of Poly (3-Glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane) Catalyzed by Treated Bentonite

The present work focuses on the preparation and characterization of poly(3-Glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane) (PGPTMS) under mild conditions. Ring-opening polymerization of the 3-Glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTMS) is initiated with the bentonite of Maghnite-H+ (Mag-H+), an ecologic and low-cost catalyst. The evolution of epoxy ring-opening was studied in bulk and in solution using CH2Cl2 as solvent, as well as the influences of several factors such as the amount of Mag-H+, polymerization time and temperature on the yield of polymer were investigated. The best polymer yield (30 %) was obtained in bulk polymerization at room temperature (20 °C) for a reaction time 8 h, and it’s increases with time and reaches 68 % for 7 days. The structures of the obtained polymers (PGPTMS) were confirmed respectively by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The thermal properties of the prepared polymers were given by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), the Tg of PGPTMS is recorded at -31.27 °C, and it is thermally stable with a degradation start temperature greater than 300 °C, all  decomposition stopped at 600 °C. Copyright © 2020 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0). 

Plasma-Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PE-CVD) yields better Hydrolytical Stability of Biocompatible SiOx Thin Films on Implant Alumina Ceramics compared to Rapid Thermal Evaporation Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD)

Densely sintered aluminum oxide (α-Al2O3) is chemically and biologically inert. To improve the interaction with biomolecules and cells, its surface has to be modified prior to use in biomedical applications. In this study, we compared two deposition techniques for adhesion promoting SiOx films to facilitate the coupling of stable organosilane monolayers on monolithic α-alumina; physical vapor deposition (PVD) by thermal evaporation and plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PE-CVD). We also investigated the influence of etching on the formation of silanol surface groups using hydrogen peroxide and sulfuric acid solutions. The film characteristics, that is, surface morphology and surface chemistry, as well as the film stability and its adhesion properties under accelerated aging conditions were characterized by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), and tensile strength tests. Differences in surface functionalization were investigated via two model organosilanes as well as the cell-cytotoxicity and viability on murine fibroblasts and human mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSC). We found that both SiOx interfaces did not affect the cell viability of both cell types. No significant differences between both films with regard to their interfacial tensile strength were detected, although failure mode analyses revealed a higher interfacial stability of the PE-CVD films compared to the PVD films. Twenty-eight day exposure to simulated body fluid (SBF) at 37 °C revealed a partial delamination of the thermally deposited PVD films whereas the PE-CVD films stayed largely intact. SiOx layers deposited by both PVD and PE-CVD may thus serve as viable adhesion-promoters for subsequent organosilane coupling agent binding to α-alumina. However, PE-CVD appears to be favorable for long-term direct film exposure to aqueous solutions.

Rational molecular design of PEOlated ladder-structured polysilsesquioxane membranes for high performance CO2 removal

By selectively introducing PEO groups into the ladder-structured polysilsesquioxane, PEO crystallization was suppressed, allowing for the exceptional CO₂ separation performance.

Enhanced surface hydrophilicity of thin-film composite membranes for nanofiltration: an experimental and DFT study

In the current study, thin-film composite (TFC) nanofiltration membranes desirable for water softening were successfully developed through interfacial polymerization using N-(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine (HEDA) as the amine monomer in the aqueous phase.

Synthesis and characterization of hybrid materials consisting of n-octadecyltriethoxysilane by using n-hexadecylamine as surfactant and Q(0) and T(0) cross-linkers

Novel hybrid xerogel materials were synthesized by a sol-gel procedure. n-octadecyltriethoxysilane was co-condensed with and without different cross-linkers using Q(0) and T(0) mono-functionalized organosilanes in the presence of n-hexadecylamine with different hydroxyl silica functional groups at the surface. These polymer networks have shown new properties, for example, a high degree of cross-linking and hydrolysis. Two different synthesis steps were carried out: simple self-assembly followed by sol-gel transition and precipitation of homogenous sols. Due to the lack of solubility of these materials, the compositions of the new materials were determined by infrared spectroscopy, (13)C and (29)Si CP/MAS NMR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy.