Interpenetrating polymer network Separation applications

Polyfunctional H nbranes via Interpenetrating Polymer Networks Application to Metal Ion Separations... 

An interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) is a polymer that comprises of two or more networks which are at least partially interlaced on a polymer scale but not covalently bonded to each other. ° It could also be any material containing two polymers, each in network form. " These networks form a special kind of nanocomposites in which segments or units of each component are dispersed among units of a second component but cannot separate because of the network structures. Like NR blends, IPNs have gained widespread acceptance in industrial applications. 

Semi-IPNs were prepared by the sol-gel technique through in situ polymerization of BMI in thermoplastic polyetherimide (PEI) as well as in polysulfone (PSF) (Kurdi and Kumar 2006). Structure and properties of semi-IPN membranes could be varied by controlling the thermoset BMI microdomain size interpenetrating within a thermoplastic polymer network. The size of this microdomain depended on the polymerization time of BMI and on the degree of thermoset/thermoplastic phase separation. These semi-IPN membranes showed an improved Tg but a decrease in their thermal stability and could be used for Oj-emiched-air applications where high selectivity is not required. At ambient temperature, it was possible to increase the permeance of semi-IPN membranes. 

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