Gas Transport Properties of Polybenzimidazole and Poly(Phenylene Oxide) Mixed Matrix Membranes Incorporated with PDA-Functionalised Titanate Nanotubes

Functionalised titanate nanotubes (TiNTs) were incorporated to poly(5,5-bisbenzimidazole-2,2-diyl-1,3-phenylene) (PBI) or poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (PPO) for improving the interfacial compatibility between the polymer matrix and inorganic material and for altering the gas separation performance of the neat polymer membranes. Functionalisation consisted in oxidative polymerisation of dopamine-hydrochloride on the surface of non-functionalised TiNTs. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirmed that a thin polydopamine (PDA) layer was created on the surface of TiNTs. 1.5, 3, 6, and 9 wt.% of PDA-functionalised TiNTs (PDA-TiNTs) were dispersed to each type of polymer matrix to create so-called mixed matrix membranes (MMMs). Infrared spectroscopy confirmed that -OH and -NH groups exist on the surface of PDA-TiNTs and that the nanotubes interact via H-bonding with PBI but not with PPO. The distribution of PDA-TiNTs in the MMMs was to some extent uniform as scanning electron microscope (SEM) studies showed. Beyond, PDA-TiNTs exhibit positive effect on gas transport properties, resulting in increased selectivities of MMMs. The addition of nanotubes caused a decrease in permeabilities but an increase in selectivities. It is shown that 9 wt.% of PDA-TiNTs in PBI gave a rise to CO₂/N₂ and CO₂/CH₄ selectivities of 112 and 63 %, respectively. In case of PPO-PDA-TiNT MMMs, CO₂/N₂ and CO₂/CH₄ selectivity increased about 25 and 17 %, respectively. Sorption measurement showed that the presence of PDA-TiNTs in PBI caused an increase in CO₂ sorption, whereas the influence on other gases is less noticeable.

Biocompatible succinic acid-based polyesters for potential biomedical applications: fungal biofilm inhibition and mesenchymal stem cell growth

Poly(alkene succinates) are promising materials for specialized medical devices and tissue engineering, presenting intrinsic properties, such as; fungal biofilm inhibition, biocompatibility and stem cells controlled growth promotion.

Epoxy–silica nanocomposite interphase control using task-specific ionic liquids via hydrolytic and non-hydrolytic sol–gel processes

Carboxylic-functionalized task-specific imidazolium ionic liquids (carboxylic-IL) presented selective high reactivities with epoxy-functionalized compounds, even in highly complex epoxy–silica nanocomposite systems.

“Unrolling” multi-walled carbon nanotubes with ionic liquids: application as fillers in epoxy-based nanocomposites

Ionic liquid enables a straightforward procedure for the preparation of high quality graphene by opening multi-walled carbon nanotubes.