NER: Nanostructured, Multilayered Polymeric Membranes for Gas Separations

提案标题：NER：用于气体分离的纳米结构多层聚合物膜提案编号：CTS-0403619主要研究员：Peter PintauroInstitution：Case Western Reserve University本提案是对NSF 03-043，NER类纳米科学与工程倡议的响应。这一探索性研究项目的目标是制造、表征和测试一类用于永久气体分离的新型聚合物基膜。膜将由30到2000 nm厚的连续聚合物亚层组成，具有重复的聚合物层序列(例如，A-B-A-B和A-B-C-B-A)。多层薄膜将使用一种独特的设备进行共挤出。这种新的纳米层膜可以克服典型聚合物膜常见的不良气体通量/选择性限制。膜的制造工作将朝着两个高风险/高回报的方向进行：(I)具有重复的两个或三个聚合物层序列的多层聚合物膜和(Ii)多层混合基质膜，其中分子筛材料嵌入橡胶聚合物的多层，具有许多玻璃聚合物夹层。这些膜将用于选择性地从空气中提取氧气和从二氧化碳中分离氢气。从制造、应用和性能的角度来看，这是一种纳米分层效应。实验计划是：(I)为各个膜纳米层选择聚合物和聚合物复合材料，(Ii)设计这些聚合物的最佳重复纳米层序列，(Iii)制备具有不同聚合物层数(30-2000)和厚度(10-100 nm)的膜，以及(Iv)测试膜对O2/N2和H2/CO2的分离。就更广泛的影响而言，用于从空气中去除氧气的高效膜可用于医疗应用、燃料燃烧和氢/空气燃料电池。成功的结果将创造出一种全新的膜，具有纳米层状的形态，在渗透性和选择性方面优于当今的膜。

AbstractProposal Title: NER: Nanostructured, Multilayered Polymeric Membranes for Gas SeparationsProposal Number: CTS-0403619Principal Investigator: Peter PintauroInstitution: Case Western Reserve UniversityThis proposal was received in response to Nanoscale Science and Engineering initiative, NSF 03-043, category NER. The objective of this exploratory research project is to fabricate, characterize and test a new class of polymer-based membranes for permanent gas separations. The membranes will be composed of between 30 and 2000 nm-thick continuous polymeric sublayers with a repeating polymer layer sequence (e.g., A-B-A-B and A-B-C-B-A). The multilayer films will be coextruded using a unique apparatus. Such new nanolayer membranes may overcome the undesirable gas flux/selectivity limitation common to typical polymeric membranes. The membrane fabrication work will proceed in two high-risk/high-reward directions: (i) multilayer polymeric membranes with repeating two or three polymer layer sequences and (ii) multilayer mixed-matrix membranes, where a molecular sieve material is imbedded in multiple layers of a rubber polymer, with numerous glassy polymer interlayers. The membranes will be tested for the selective extraction of oxygen from air and the separation of hydrogen from carbon dioxide. It is the nano-layering effect, from a fabrication, application, and performance viewpoint. The experimental plan is to: (i) select polymer and polymer composite materials for the individual membrane nanolayers, (ii) design optimal repeating nanolayer sequences of these polymers, (iii) fabricate membranes with a different number (30-2000) and thickness (10-100 nm) of polymer layers, and (iv) test the membranes for O2/N2 and H2/CO2 separations. In terms of the broader impacts, highly efficient membranes for oxygen removal from air could be used in medical applications, fuel combustion, and in hydrogen/air fuel cells. Successful outcomes will result in the creation of an entirely new class of membranes, with a nano-layered morphology, that outperform present-day membranes, in terms of permeability and selectivity.