The Effect of Microporous Polymeric Support Modification on Surface and Gas Transport Properties of Supported Ionic Liquid Membranes

The Influence of Polycation and Counter-Anion Nature on the Properties of Poly(ionic liquid)-Based Membranes for CO2 Separation

The current investigation is focused on the development of composite membranes based on polymeric ionic liquids (PILs) containing imidazolium and pyridinium polycations with various counterions, including hexafluorophosphate, tetrafluoroborate, and bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide. A combination of spectroscopic methods was used to identify the synthesized PILs and characterize their interaction with carbon dioxide. The density and surface free energy of polymers were performed by wettability measurements, and the results are in good agreement with the permeability and selectivity obtained within the gas transport tests. It was shown that the membranes with a selective layer based on PILs exhibit relatively high permeability with CO₂ and high ideal selectivity CO₂/CH₄ and CO₂/N₂. Additionally, it was found that the type of an anion significantly affects the performance of the obtained membranes, with the most pronounced effect from bis-triflimide-based polymers, showing the highest permeability coefficient. These results provide valuable insights into the design and optimization of PIL-based membranes for natural and flue gas treatment.

The Cation Effect on the Free Volume and the Solubility of H2S and CO2 in Ionic Liquids Based on Bis(2-Ethylhexyl) Sulfosuccinate Anion

Herein, we report for the first time a study dedicated to acidic gases' solubility in ionic liquids with sterically hindered bulky anion, namely bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate ([doc]), experimentally evaluated at low pressures. The effect of cation change (imidazolium, pyridinium, and pyrrolidinium) on the thermophysical properties and sorption capacities was also discussed. The densities and the activation energies of the tested ILs exhibited minor differences. Furthermore, the COSMO-RS model was used to predict the free volumes of ILs aiming to investigate its influence on gas solubilities. The conducted calculations have revealed an antibate correlation between the fractional free volume (FFV) and Henry's law constant. In particular, the lowest FFV in 1-methylimidazolium [doc] corresponded to the minimal sorption and vice versa. In addition, it was shown that the presence of protic cation results in a significant reduction in CO₂ and H₂S solubilities. In general, the solubility measurement results of the synthesized ILs have shown their superiority compared to fluorinated ILs based on the physical absorption mechanism.

Self-Oscillating Liquid Gating Membranes with Periodic Gas Transport

Liquid gating membranes with molecular-level smooth liquid lining layers break through the limitations of traditional porous membrane materials in gas transport control. Owing to the stable, self-healing, and reconfigurable properties, liquid gating membranes have shown wide application prospects in microfluidics, intelligent valves, chemical reactions, and beyond. Here, we develop a periodic gas transport control system based on the self-oscillating liquid gating membrane. Under continuous gas injection, the gas–liquid interface is reversibly deformed, enabling self-oscillating behavior for discontinuous and periodic gas transport without the need for any complex external changes to the original system. Meanwhile, our experimental analysis reveals that the periodic time and periodic gas release in the system can be regulated. Based on the cycle stability of the system, we further demonstrate the controllability of the system for periodic droplet manipulation in microfluidics. Looking forward, it will offer new opportunities for various applications, such as pneumatic robots, gas-involved chemical reactions, droplet microfluidics, and beyond.

Morphology Effect of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles on the Gas Separation Performance of Polyurethane Mixed Matrix Membranes for CO2 Recovery from CH4, O2, and N2

The effect of the morphology and content of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) on the physicochemical, mechanical, and gas transport properties of the polyurethane (PU) mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) with respect to CO2 recovery from CH4, O2, and N2 was studied. The MMMs based on PU with spherical and rod-shaped ZnO-NPs at various loadings, namely, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1, and 2 wt. %, were prepared with membrane density control and studied using AFM, wettability measurements, surface free energy calculation, gas separation and mechanical testing. To evaluate the resistance of the ZnO-NPs to agglomeration in the polymer solutions, zeta potential was determined. The ZnO-NPs with average cross sectional size of 30 nm were obtained by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) from elemental high-purity zinc in a zinc-oxygen-hydrogen plasma-forming gas mixture. It was established that the spherical ZnO-NPs are promising to improve the gas performance of PU-based MMMs for CO2 recovery from natural gas, while the rod-shaped NPs better demonstrate their potential in capturing CO2 in flue gases.

A Review on Ionic Liquid Gas Separation Membranes

Ionic liquids have attracted the attention of the industry and research community as versatile solvents with unique properties, such as ionic conductivity, low volatility, high solubility of gases and vapors, thermal stability, and the possibility to combine anions and cations to yield an almost endless list of different structures. These features open perspectives for numerous applications, such as the reaction medium for chemical synthesis, electrolytes for batteries, solvent for gas sorption processes, and also membranes for gas separation. In the search for better-performing membrane materials and membranes for gas and vapor separation, ionic liquids have been investigated extensively in the last decade and a half. This review gives a complete overview of the main developments in the field of ionic liquid membranes since their first introduction. It covers all different materials, membrane types, their preparation, pure and mixed gas transport properties, and examples of potential gas separation applications. Special systems will also be discussed, including facilitated transport membranes and mixed matrix membranes. The main strengths and weaknesses of the different membrane types will be discussed, subdividing them into supported ionic liquid membranes (SILMs), poly(ionic liquids) or polymerized ionic liquids (PILs), polymer/ionic liquid blends (physically or chemically cross-linked 'ion-gels'), and PIL/IL blends. Since membrane processes are advancing as an energy-efficient alternative to traditional separation processes, having shown promising results for complex new separation challenges like carbon capture as well, they may be the key to developing a more sustainable future society. In this light, this review presents the state-of-the-art of ionic liquid membranes, to analyze their potential in the gas separation processes of the future.

Amphiphilic Poly(dimethylsiloxane-ethylene-propylene oxide)-polyisocyanurate Cross-Linked Block Copolymers in a Membrane Gas Separation

Amphiphilic poly(dimethylsiloxane-ethylene-propylene oxide)-polyisocyanurate cross-linked block copolymers based on triblock copolymers of propylene and ethylene oxides with terminal potassium-alcoholate groups (PPEG), octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4) and 2,4-toluene diisocyanate (TDI) were synthesized and investigated. In the first stage of the polymerization process, a multiblock copolymer (MBC) was previously synthesized by polyaddition of D4 to PPEG. The usage of the amphiphilic branched silica derivatives associated with oligomeric medium (ASiP) leads to the structuring of block copolymers via the transetherification reaction of the terminal silanol groups of MBC with ASiP. The molar ratio of PPEG, D4, and TDI, where the polymer chains are packed in the "core-shell" supramolecular structure with microphase separation of the polyoxyethylene, polyoxypropylene and polydimethylsiloxane segments as the shell, was established. Polyisocyanurates build the "core" of the described macromolecular structure. The obtained polymers were studied as membrane materials for the separation of gas mixtures CO2/CH4 and CO2/N2. It was found that obtained polymers are promising as highly selective and productive membrane materials for the separation of gas mixtures containing CO2, CH4 and N2.

Preparation and characterization of polyimide membranes modified by a task-specific ionic liquid based on Schiff base for CO2/N2 separation

In order to increase CO₂/N₂ selectivity of polyimide (PI) dense membranes, task-specific ionic liquid (TSIL), 1-aminoethyl-3-buthylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([NH₂ebim][PF₆]), has been grafted to polymer chains as large side groups by forming the structure of Schiff base for the first time. The modified membranes were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), dynamic thermomechanical analysis (DMA), and stress-strain testing. The results showed that TSIL had been successfully linked to PI chains by forming "C=N." The modified membranes had more free volume, which was favorable to the improvement of CO₂ permeability. The reduction of spin degree of freedom means the rigidity increment of polymer chains, which indicated that the selectivity of CO₂/N₂ can be enhanced. As a result, CO₂ permeability of the modified membrane (TSIL-0.8 wt%) was increased from 5.28 to 10.2 Barrer, and CO₂/N₂ selectivity was increased from 21.9 to 92.8 at 30 °C and 0.1 MPa. Meanwhile, the effects of different feed pressures (0.1-0.6 MPa) and different operating temperatures (30-60 °C) on CO₂/N₂ transport properties were also investigated, and it was found that the separation performances of the modified membranes had already exceeded Robeson's upper bound.

Revealing the Surface Effect on Gas Transport and Mechanical Properties in Nonporous Polymeric Membranes in Terms of Surface Free Energy

The contribution of surface roughness of nonporous polymeric membranes to their gas separation and mechanical properties was studied in terms of surface free energy. The membranes samples were prepared based on glassy polymers with different chain rigidity, namely polysulfone (PSU), cellulose triacetate (CTA), and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). The results were obtained by atomic force and scanning electron microscopy (AFM and SEM) with individual gas permeation, wettability, and mechanical testing. The specific surface free energy (as well as its polar and dispersive components) for the polymers was calculated by the Owens-Wendt method. It was proven that the surface roughness of the polymer membranes affects both energy components; however, the degree of this influence depends on the chemical nature of the corresponding polymer. Moreover, it was assumed that the dispersive energy component is inversely correlated with any gases' total permeability. In contrast, the polar one is inversely correlated with the permeability by gases with the ability for site-specific interactions. The gas separation results confirmed this assumption. It was also shown that the mechanical properties of the polymer membranes are also influenced by the surface energy, namely, its dispersive component.

Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Nanoporous Gl-POSS-Branched Polymeric Gas Separation Membranes

Novel nanoporous Gl-POSS-branched polymers based on the macroinitiator of anionic nature, 2,4-toluene diisocyanate, and octaglycidyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (Gl-POSS) were obtained as gas separation membranes. The synthesis of polymers was carried out using various loads of Gl-POSS. It was found that the main reaction proceeding with 2,4-toluene diisocyanate is the polyaddition, accompanied by the isocyanate groups opening of the carbonyl part. This unusual opening of isocyanate groups leads to the formation of coplanar acetal nature polyisocyanates (O-polyisocyanate). The terminal O-polyisocyanate links initiate the subsequent opening of the epoxide rings in Gl-POSS. As a result, Gl-POSS serves as a hard and bulky branching agent and creates the specific framing supramolecular structure, which leads to the formation of nanopores in the polymer, where the flexible polyether components are located inside the cavities. Thermal, mechanical, physical, and chemical properties of the obtained polymers were studied at various Gl-POSS contents in the polymer matrix. It was found that these polymers show high selectivity of gas transport properties for pure ammonia relative to nitrogen and hydrogen at ambient temperature. Measurements showed that the gas permeability coefficients and the values of ideal selectivity were in a non-additive dependence to the Gl-POSS content.

Synthesis and Study of Gas Transport Properties of Polymers Based on Macroinitiators and 2,4-Toluene Diisocyanate

Nowadays, block copolymers hold great promise for the design of novel membranes to be applied for the membrane gas separation. In this regard, microporous block copolymers based on a macroinitiator with an anionic nature, such as potassium-substituted block copolymers of propylene oxide and ethylene oxide (PPEG) and 2,4-toluene diisocyanate (TDI), were obtained and investigated as effective gas separation membranes. The key element of the macromolecular structure that determines the supramolecular organization of the studied polymers is the coplanar blocks of polyisocyanates with an acetal nature (O-polyisocyanate). In the present research, the influence of the content of peripheral polyoxyethylene (POE) blocks in PPEG on the supramolecular structure processes and gas transport characteristics of the obtained polymers based on PPEG and TDI was investigated. According to the study of polymers if the POE block content is 15 wt %, the polyoxypropylene segments are located in the internal cavity of voids formed by O-polyisocyanate blocks. When the POE block content is 30 wt %, the flexible chain component forms its own microphase outside the segregation zone of the rigid O-polyisocyanate blocks. The permeability for polar molecules, such as ammonia or hydrogen sulfide, significantly exceeds the permeability values obtained for non-polar molecules He, N₂ and CH₄. A relatively high permeability is also observed for carbon dioxide. At the same time, the content of POE blocks has a small effect on the permeability for all studied gases. The diffusion coefficient increases with an increase in the POE block content in PPEG for all studied gases.

Novel Composite Membranes Based on Chitosan Copolymers with Polyacrylonitrile and Polystyrene: Physicochemical Properties and Application for Pervaporation Dehydration of Tetrahydrofuran

Pervaporation has been applied for tetrahydrofuran (THF) dehydration with novel composite membranes advanced by a thin selective layer composed of chitosan (CS) modified by copolymerization with vinyl monomers, acrylonitrile (AN) and styrene, in order to improve the chemical and mechanical stability of CS-based membranes. Composite membranes were developed by depositing a thin selective layer composed of CS copolymers onto a commercially-available porous support based on aromatic polysulfonamide (UPM-20^®). The topography and morphology of the obtained materials were studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). Thermal properties and stability were determined by coupled evolved gas analysis (EGA-MS). Transport properties were estimated in pervaporation dehydration of THF. The effect of operating parameters for the pervaporation dehydration of THF such as feed compositions and temperatures (295, 308 and 323 K) was evaluated. It was shown that CS modification with different vinyl monomers led to a difference in physical and transport properties. The composite membrane with the thin selective layer based on CS-PAN copolymer demonstrated optimal transport properties and exhibited the highest water content in the permeate with a reasonably high permeation flux.

Acidic Gases Separation from Gas Mixtures on the Supported Ionic Liquid Membranes Providing the Facilitated and Solution-Diffusion Transport Mechanisms

Nowadays, the imidazolium-based ionic liquids containing acetate counter-ions are attracting much attention as both highly selective absorbents of the acidic gases and CO₂ carriers in the supported ionic liquid membranes. In this regard, the investigation of the gas transport properties of such membranes may be appropriate for better understanding of various factors affecting the separation performance and the selection of the optimal operating conditions. In this work, we have tested CH₄, CO₂ and H₂S permeability across the supported ionic liquid membranes impregnated by 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate (bmim[OAc]) with the following determination of the ideal selectivity in order to compare the facilitated transport membrane performance with the supported ionic liquid membrane (SILM) that provides solution-diffusion mechanism, namely, containing 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (bmim[BF₄]). Both SILMs have showed modest individual gases permeability and ideal selectivity of CO₂/CH₄ and H₂S/CH₄ separation that achieves values up to 15 and 32, respectively. The effect of the feed gas mixture composition on the permeability of acidic gases and permeselectivity of the gas pair was investigated. It turned out that the permeation behavior for the bmim[OAc]-based SILM toward the binary CO₂/CH₄, H₂S/CH₄ and ternary CO₂/H₂S/CH₄ mixtures was featured with high acidic gases selectivity due to the relatively low methane penetration through the liquid phase saturated by acidic gases.

Preparation and Characterization of a PVDF Membrane Modified by an Ionic Liquid

In order to enhance the hydrophobicity of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) porous membranes, the blending of PVDF with a hydrophobic ionic liquid (IL) 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([Bmim][PF6]) was carried out. The modified PVDF membranes with [Bmim][PF6] were fabricated through a non-solvent induced phase inversion using lithium chloride as a porogen in the PVDF casting solution. The effects of [Bmim][PF6] on the membrane characteristics were investigated. FT-IR analysis indicates that the IL is successfully retained by the PVDF membrane. Thermogravimetric analysis reveals that the optimum temperature of the modified membrane is below 300°C. Scanning electron microscopy pictures show that modified membranes have more homogeneous and larger diameter pores with a mean pore size of 0.521µm and porosity of 78%. By measuring the IL leaching during the membrane fabrication, it was found that the modified membrane does not lose IL. Atomic force microscopy shows that the roughness of the modified membrane surface increases slightly, but the contact angle of the modified membrane increases significantly from 88.1° to 110.1°. The reason for this is that the fluorine-containing IL has a low surface energy, which can enhance the hydrophobicity of the membrane. Finally, by comparing modified membranes with different IL concentrations, we draw a conclusion that the modified membrane with an IL concentration of 3 wt-% has the best properties of pore size, porosity, and hydrophobicity.

A Bibliometric Analysis of Research on Supported Ionic Liquid Membranes during the 1995-2015 Period: Study of the Main Applications and Trending Topics

A bibliometric analysis based on Scopus database was performed to identify the global research trends related to Supported Ionic Liquid Membranes (SILMs) during the time period from 1995 to 2015. This work tries to improve the understanding of the most relevant research topics and applications. The results from the analysis reveal that only after 2005 the research efforts focused on SILMs became significant, since the references found before that year are scarce. The most important research works on the four main application groups for SILMs defined in this work (carbon dioxide separation, other gas phase separations, pervaporation and liquid phase separations) were summarized in this paper. Carbon dioxide separation appeared as the application that has received by far the most attention according to the research trends during the analysed period. Comments about other significant applications that are gaining attention, such as the employment of SILMs in analytical tasks or their consideration for the production of fuel cells, have been included.

Preparation and Characterization of Facilitated Transport Membranes Composed of Chitosan-Styrene and Chitosan-Acrylonitrile Copolymers Modified by Methylimidazolium Based Ionic Liquids for CO₂ Separation from CH₄ and N₂

CO₂ separation was found to be facilitated by transport membranes based on novel chitosan (CS)-poly(styrene) (PS) and chitosan (CS)-poly(acrylonitrile) (PAN) copolymer matrices doped with methylimidazolium based ionic liquids: [bmim][BF₄], [bmim][PF₆], and [bmim][Tf₂N] (IL). CS plays the role of biodegradable film former and selectivity promoter. Copolymers were prepared implementing the latest achievements in radical copolymerization with chosen monomers, which enabled the achievement of outstanding mechanical strength values for the CS-based membranes (75-104 MPa for CS-PAN and 69-75 MPa for CS-PS). Ionic liquid (IL) doping affected the surface and mechanical properties of the membranes as well as the gas separation properties. The highest CO₂ permeability 400 Barrers belongs to CS-b-PS/[bmim][BF₄]. The highest selectivity α (CO₂/N₂) = 15.5 was achieved for CS-b-PAN/[bmim][BF₄]. The operational temperature of the membranes is under 220 °C.

Porous polyurethanes based on hyperbranched amino ethers of boric acid

Novel polyurethanes with hierarchical supramolecular structure were synthesized via polyaddition reaction of amino ethers of boric acid and polyisocyanate.