Mechanically and Thermally Enhanced Intrinsically Dopable Polyimide Membrane with Advanced Gas Separation Capabilities

A Novel Imide-Bridged Polysiloxane Membrane Was Prepared via One-Pot Hydrosilylation Reaction for O2/N2 Separation

The synthesis of poly(methyhydrosiloxane) (PMHS) and N,N'-bis(3-allyl)pyromellitic diimide was optimized for O₂/N₂ separation. The membrane exhibits excellent mechanical and thermal properties and shows an O₂/N₂ selectivity of up to 4.44 with an O₂ permeability of 31.0 Barrer; compared with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and pure polyimide (PI) membranes, the separation selectivity shows a 107% increase for PDMS, and the permeation shows a 660% increase for pure PI. The obtained results were well above the ones reported on the literature for similar conditions opening the door for the preparation of a stable polysiloxane (PMHS-I) gas separation membrane with extraordinary O₂/N₂ separation performance.

A review of advances in the preparation and application of polyaniline based thermoset blends and composites

For several decades, forming blend and composite of polyaniline (PANI) with insulating polymers has been a widely studied research area because of the potential applications of such blends, which have a unique combination of mechanical properties, the processability of conventional polymers and the electrical property of conducting polymers. The current review paper will emphasize PANI composites or blends with thermosetting polymer matrices. The enhanced electro-mechanical properties of the blends and composites depend on the uniform dispersion of the PANI particle in polymer matrix. Therefore, considerable studies have focused on improving the distribution of PANI particles within the thermoset matrices. In this review paper, all the parameters and conditions that influence the surface morphology and application of PANI thermoset blends and composites will be described systematically. Recent progress on PANI based thermoset system with multifunctional ternary composites research will be highlighted in this paper. Furthermore, encouraging applications of different PANI thermoset composites and blends are discussed, such as flame-retardant materials, lightning damage suppression, metal ion removal, anticorrosive coating, electromagnetic shielding, conductive adhesives, and sensing materials.

A Novel Application of Electroactive Polyimide Doped with Gold Nanoparticles: As a Chemiresistor Sensor for Hydrogen Sulfide Gas

This research paper presents a new application of electroactive polyimide doped with gold nanoparticles (PI/AuNPs) as a chemiresistor sensor for detecting hydrogen sulfide gas. The synthesis of PI/AuNPs was done in a simple 3-step process of polymerization using the as prepared amine-capped aniline trimer (ACAT), followed by imidization, and doping. Spectral analyses via FTIR, LC-MS and ¹H-NMR confirmed the formation of amine-capped aniline trimer with a MW of 288 g mol⁻¹. Comparison of ACAT, BSAA, and PI FTIR spectra showed successful polymerization of the last, while XRD validated the incorporation of metal nanoparticles onto the polymer matrix, showing characteristic diffraction peaks corresponding to gold. Furthermore, TEM, and FE-SEM revealed the presence of well-dispersed Au nanoparticles with an average diameter of about 60 nm. The electroactive PI/AuNPs-based sensor showed a sensitivity of 0.29% ppm⁻¹ H₂S at a linear concentration range of 50 to 300 ppm H₂S (r = 0.9777). The theoretical limit of detection was found at 0.142 ppm or 142 ppb H₂S gas. The sensor provided a stable response reading at an average response time of 43 ± 5 s, which was easily recovered after an average time of 99 ± 5 s. The sensor response was highly repeatable and reversible, with RSD values of 8.88%, and 8.60%, respectively. Compared with the performance of the conventional conducting polyaniline also doped with gold nanoparticles (PANI/AuNPs), the fabricated electroactive PI/AuNPs exhibited improved sensing performance making it a potential candidate in monitoring H₂S in the environment and for work-related safety.

Preparation and properties of graphene oxide/polyimide composites by in situ polymerization and thermal imidization process

Graphene oxide/polyimide (GO/PI) composites with different loadings of GO were prepared by in situ polymerization and solution blending method. By adding GO, the mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties of composites could be improved. The tensile strength of GO/PI composite with 3.0 wt% GO loading was up to 137.8 MPa, 75.5% higher than that of a pure PI. Besides, the electrical and the thermal conductivities increased with the increase of GO contents. An electrical conductivity value of 5.38 × 10−5 S m−1 and a thermal conductivity value of 0.10 W m−1 K−1 for GO/PI composites prepared via in situ polymerization at GO content of 3.0 wt% were achieved. The results indicated that in situ polymerization was able to make GO a better dispersion in the polymer matrix. Furthermore, the behavior of GO under the thermal imidization temperature was also discussed. The experimental results showed that GO could be partially reduced to graphene during the thermal curing process. Above works are conducive to the understanding of the effect and transformation of GO in the preparation process of graphene-based composites.

Synthesis, characterization and gas separation properties of novel copolyimide membranes based on flexible etheric–aliphatic moieties

The structural properties and gas permeation of a group of copolyimide membranes were investigated.

An environmentally sensitive three-component hybrid microgel

A new composite material based on a multiple-stimuli-responsive nanogel containing AuNPs and polyaniline nanofibers was synthesized and was electroactive, possessed electrocatalytic activity and formed monolayers strongly bound to the surface of gold electrodes.

Self-healing anti-corrosion coatings based on polymers of intrinsic microporosity for the protection of aluminum alloy

PIM1 is used as containers for corrosion inhibitors (BTA). Simple dip coating with BTA loaded PIM1 and a commercial top paint results in a self-healing anti-corrosion coating for aluminum alloy.

Effect of cold plasma treatment on surface properties and gas permeability of polyimide films

Surface functionalization of polyimide films was carried out by cold plasma treatment using a radio frequency discharge and the optimum plasma conditions were evaluated by water contact angle measurements. The relationship between gas permeation behaviour and surface modification of the films was discussed.