Synthesis and gas transport properties of hydroxyl-functionalized polyimides with intrinsic microporosity

Xiaohua Ma, Raja Swaidan, Youssef Belmabkhout, Yihan Zhu, Eric Litwiller, Mustapha Jouiad, Ingo Pinnau, Yu Han

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

194 Scopus citations

Abstract

A newly designed diamine monomer, 3,3,3′,3′-tetramethyl-1, 1′-spirobisindane-5,5′-diamino-6,6′-diol, was successfully used to synthesize two types of polyimides for membrane-based gas separation applications. The novel polymers integrate significant microporosity and polar hydroxyl groups, showing the combined features of polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIMs) and functional polyimides (PIs). They possess high thermal stability, good solubility, and easy processability for membrane fabrication; the resulting membranes exhibit good permeability owing to the intrinsic microporosity introduced by the highly contorted PIM segments as well as high CO 2/CH 4 selectivity that arises from the hydroxyl groups. The membranes show CO 2/CH 4 selectivities of >20 when tested with a 1:1 CO 2/CH 4 mixture for feed pressures up to 50 bar. In addition, the incorporation of hydroxyl groups and microporosity in the polymers enhances their affinity to water, leading to remarkable water sorption capacities of up to 22 wt % at 35 °C and 95% relative humidity. © 2012 American Chemical Society.
Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)3841-3849
Number of pages9
JournalMacromolecules
Volume45
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 26 2012

Bibliographical note

KAUST Repository Item: Exported on 2020-10-01
Acknowledgements: This research was supported by KAUST baseline funding for Yu Han and Ingo Pinnau.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Materials Chemistry
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Polymers and Plastics
  • Inorganic Chemistry

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