Matrix polysulfone

Zi02 has been used as a bulk material in mixed matrix polysulfone membranes, although in the size range of micrometers (Genne et al. 1996). Zeolites are known to enhance the fluxes and selectivities for membranes used in gas separation and pervaporation (Rezakazemi et al. 2012). 

Fig. 10. Composite hoUow-fiber membranes (a) polysulfone boUow fiber coated witb fiiran resin. A and B denote fiiran resin surface and porous support, respectively (b) cross section of composite boUow fiber (PEI/TDI coated on polysulfone matrix). C, D, and E denote tightly cross-linked surface, "gutter" gel layer, and porous support, respectively. Both fibers were developed for reverse osmosis appHcation (15).

Starting from the assumption that the geometry relaxation after excitation is of primary importance with respect to the luminescence response, we decided to employ a solid polymer matrix to suppress conformational changes of the oligomers. For the measurements, dilute blends with polysulfone as the transparent host matrix were prepared. In Figure 16-13, the PL decay curves for the two cyano compounds in both chloroform and polysulfone are presented, as are the PL spectra of Ooct-OPV5-CN in chloroform and polysulfone [69J. 

Other nanocomposite CNT electrodes have been reported by mixing CNTs with granular Teflon [48], chistosan [110], polystyrene [111], polysulfone [112] and epoxy [103, 113] or by incorporating them into a silicate gel matrix [13, 114]. 

Small-pore zeolite Nu-6(2) has a NSI-type structure and two different types of eight-membered-ring channels with limiting dimensions of 2.4 and 3.2 A [54]. Gorgojo and coworkers developed mixed-matrix membranes using Nu-6(2) as the dispersed zeolite phase and polysulfone Udel as the continuous organic polymer phase [55]. These mixed-matrix membranes showed remarkably enhanced H2/ CH4 selectivity compared to the bare polysulfone membrane. The H2/CH4 selectivity increased from 13 for the bare polysulfone membrane to 398 for the Nu-6(2)/ polysulfone mixed-matrix membranes. This superior performance of the Nu-6(2)/ polysulfone mixed-matrix membranes is attributed to the molecular sieving role played by the selected Nu-6(2) zeoHte phase in the membranes. 

Geong and coworkers reported a new concept for the formation of zeolite/ polymer mixed-matrix reverse osmosis (RO) membranes by interfacial polymerization of mixed-matrix thin films in situ on porous polysulfone (PSF) supports [83]. The mixed-matrix films comprise NaA zeoHte nanoparticles dispersed within 50-200 nm polyamide films. It was found that the surface of the mixed-matrix films was smoother, more hydrophilic and more negatively charged than the surface of the neat polyamide RO membranes. These NaA/polyamide mixed-matrix membranes were tested for a water desalination application. It was demonstrated that the pure water permeability of the mixed-matrix membranes at the highest nanoparticle loadings was nearly doubled over that of the polyamide membranes with equivalent solute rejections. The authors also proved that the micropores of the NaA zeolites played an active role in water permeation and solute rejection. 

Mixed-matrix membranes prepared from smaU-pore zeoHte Nu-6(2) and polysul-fone showed significantly enhanced H2/CH4 selectivity over the neat polysulfone membrane [55]. The H2/CH4 selectivity increased from 13 for the neat polysulfone membrane to 398 for the Nu-6(2)/polysulfone mixed-matrix membranes. 

These types of separators consist of a solid matrix and a liquid phase, which is retained in the microporous structure by capillary forces. To be effective for batteries, the liquid in the microporous separator, which generally contains an organic phase, must be insoluble in the electrolyte, chemically stable, and still provide adequate ionic conductivity. Several types of polymers, such as polypropylene, polysulfone, poly(tetrafluoroethylene), and cellulose acetate, have been used for porous substrates for supported-liquid membranes. The PVdF coated polyolefin-based microporous membranes used in gel—polymer lithium-ion battery fall into this category. Gel polymer... 

Zirfon separator is a new alternative for Ni—H2 batteries. It is a porous composite separator material composed of a polysulfone matrix and ZrOz, which is present in a powder form. The manufacturing is based on the film-casting technique. It is very stable in concentrated KOH solutions at elevated temperatures. These films are around 300 /iin thick. SORAPEC has tested Zirfon in Ni—H2 cells and has indicated that it is one of the best separators. 

Figure 31. NPR, Bell Laboratories "New Positive Resist for e-beam applications. The sensitizer is a radiolabile polysulfone and the matrix resin is...

The development of anisotropic membranes based on a hydrophobic polymer matrix (e.g., polysulfone derivatives or phosphonylated-PPO) which does not collapse upon drying, made possible a more thorough investigation into the origin and role of the nodular layer. It is now clear that if the nodular layer extends to the interface without fusion, the membrane is open to solute permeation. Solute separation would then be dependent upon the serriedness of the nodules... 

A smooth top surface corresponding to the dense barrier layer is evident. The porous, spongy polysulfone matrix is evident below this surface layer. Although not evident in this photomicrograph, the thickness of the barrier layer and crosslinked polyethylenimine Intermediate layer, taken together, is approximately 2000 A. 

In most applications, polyester and vinyl ester resins are used as the matrix materials. Epoxies are also used, although they require longer cure times and do not release easily from the pultrusion dies. Hence, thermosetting resins are most commonly used with pultrusion, although some high-performance thermoplastics such as PEEK and polysulfone can also be accommodated. In addition to the resin, the resin bath may contain a curing agent (initiator, cf. Section 3.3.1.2), colorants, ultraviolet stabilizer, and fire retardant. 

Matrix materials for commercial composites are mainly liquid thermosetting resins such as polyesters, vinyl esters, epoxy resins, and bismaleimide resins. Thermoplastic composites are made from polyamides, polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polysulfone, polyetherim-ide (PEI), and polyamide-imide (PAI). 

Films of the polyisoimides were cast from DMAC at 55 °C under reduced pressure (0.1 mm). A study of the isomerization reaction was conducted by FTIR and showed that the isomerization began at approximately 100 °C and was complete after 3 h at 250 °C. In all cases the thermally treated films were insoluble in all solvents tested. Composite films were produced with XVII and three commercial matrix systems a polyarylsulfone (Radel), a polysulfone (Udel), and an acetylene terminated isoimide thermosetting resin (IP-600). Films of the matrix and XVII were cast from DMAC. Slightly cloudy films, indicating some phase separation, resulted with both the Radel and Udel systems. Composite films cast with IP-600, however, were completely clear and showed no signs of phase separation. The structural similarity of the IP-600 resin and XVII may account for the greater homogeneity of the system. Property assessment of these films before and after thermal treatment is currently underway. 

In homogeneous ion-exchange membranes the fixed-charged groups are evenly distributed over the entire membrane polymer matrix. Homogeneous membranes can be produced, for example, by polymerization or polycondensation of functional monomers such as phenolsulfonic acid, or by functionalizing a polymer such as polysulfone dissolved in an appropriate solvent by sulfonation. 

Two main criteria for the membrane selection are pore size and material. As peroxidases usually have sizes in the range of 10-80 kDa, ultrafiltration membranes with a molecular cutoff between 1 and 50 kDa are the most adequate to prevent enzyme leakage [99]. The materials commonly applied to ultrafiltration membranes are synthetic polymers (nylon, polypropylene, polyamide, polysulfone, cellulose and ceramic materials [101]. The adequate material depends on a great number of variables. When enzyme is immobilized into the matrix, this must be prepared at mild conditions to preserve the enzymatic activity. In the case of enzyme immobilization onto the membrane, this should be activated with the reactive groups necessary to interact with the functional groups of the enzyme. If an extractive system is considered, the selection of the hydrophilicity or hydro-phobicity of the membrane should be performed according to the features of reactants, products, and solvents. In any case, the membrane should not interfere with the catalytic integrity of the enzyme. 

Most of the available commercial microporous membranes such as polysulfone, polyethersulfone, polyamide, cellulose, polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyvinylidene difluoride are prepared by phase inversion processes. The concept of phase inversion in membrane formation was introduced by Resting [75] and can be defined as follows a homogeneous polymer solution is transformed into a two-phase system in which a solidified polymer-rich phase forms the continuous membrane matrix and the polymer lean phase fills the pores. A detailed description of the phase inversion process is beyond the scope of this section as it was widely discussed in Chapters 1 and 2 nevertheless a short introduction of this process will be presented. 

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