Poly(ether imide sulfone) Membranes from Solutions in Ionic Liquids

Dooli Kim, Suzana P. Nunes*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Scopus citations

Abstract

A membrane manufacture method based on nonvolatile solvents and a high-performance polymer, poly(ether imide sulfone) (EXTEM), is proposed as a greener alternative to the current industrial process. We dissolved EXTEM in pure ionic liquids: 1-ethyl-3-methylimidalzolium thiocyanate ([EMIM]SCN), 1-butyl-3-methylimidalzolium thiocyanate ([BMIM]SCN), and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidalzolium acetate ([EMIM]OAc). The following polymer solution parameters were evaluated to optimize the manufacture: Gibbs free energy of mixing (ΔG), intrinsic viscosity ([η]), and hydrodynamic diameter. Membranes with a sponge-like structure and narrow pore size distribution were obtained from solutions in [EMIM]SCN. They were tested for separation of proteins and DNAs (DNA). Due to the polymer stability, we foresee that applications in more demanding chemical separations would be possible. [EMIM]SCN was 96% purified and recovered after the membrane fabrication, contributing to the sustainability of the whole manufacturing process.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)14914-14922
Number of pages9
JournalIndustrial and Engineering Chemistry Research
Volume56
Issue number50
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 20 2017

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2017 American Chemical Society.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Chemistry
  • General Chemical Engineering
  • Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

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