Polymeric membranes mechanical properties

Inorganic membranes (29,36) are generaUy more stable than their polymeric counterparts. Mechanical property data have not been definitive for good comparisons. IndustriaUy, tube bundle and honeycomb constmctions predominate with surface areas 20 to 200 m. Cross-flow is generaUy the preferred mode of operation. Packing densities are greater than 1000 /m. Porous ceramics, sintered metal, and metal oxides on porous carbon support... 

The preceding structural characteristics dictate the state of polymer (rubbery vs. glassy vs. semicrystalline) which will strongly affect mechanical strength, thermal stability, chemical resistance and transport properties [6]. In most polymeric membranes, the polymer is in an amorphous state. However, some polymers, especially those with flexible chains of regular chemical structure (e.g., polyethylene/PE/, polypropylene/PP/or poly(vinylidene fluoride)/PVDF/), tend to form crystalline... 

Polymer composites (blends) are prepared to control the mechanical properties of the polymeric materials and for obtaining permselective membranes for separation processes. Many polymer composites are, however, blends of incompatible polymers. Because of the tendency for segregation caused by the incompatibility, these materials can acquire a nonuniform structure. It is, therefore, useful to develop blends whose structure can be more uniform. 

Mixed matrix membranes with molecular sieves incorporated combine the high separation capacity of molecular sieving materials (see Section 4.3.2) with the desirable mechanical properties and economical processing attributes of polymeric materials. 

Furthermore, in 2001, Ballard entered an alliance with Victrex to produce two new membrane alternatives. One membrane is based on sulfonated poly(arylether) ketone (a variant of PEEK) supplied by Victrex, which may be better suited to PEMFC fabrication applications. In March 2002, U.S. Patent 6,359,019 was issued to Ballard Power for a graft-polymeric membrane in which one or more trifluorovinylaromatic monomers are radiation graft polymerized to a preformed polymeric base. The strucmres of BAM membranes have been studied by way of small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) [97]. The study of the ionomer peak position suggests the existence of relatively small ionic domains compared to Nalion, despite large water content. Phase separation in the polymer matrix is possibly crucial for the membrane s mechanical and transport properties. 

---