Abstract: The invention includes compositions and methods for promoting gas mixtures separations, such as a carbon dioxide and methane mixture. The composition of the invention is based on a curable polymerized room-temperature ionic liquid [poly(RTIL)].

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process for separating a hydrocarbon feed gas mixture comprising constituents including ethylene to produce a separated ethylene product. The disclosed process employs a solid-state ethylene sorbent and temperature and/or pressure swing adsorption and membrane separation and demonstrates a methodology to reduce the net heat of reaction during the adsorption of ethylene onto an adsorbent.

Abstract: A polymerizable Gemini surfactant based on tail groups with mixed isomer dienes. The Gemini surfactants may be produced having imidazolium head groups and diene tail groups with a near-equal abundance of the “E” and “Z” isomers. These compounds are lyotropic liquid crystals that can form bicontinuous cubic phases by self-assembly.

Abstract: The invention includes compositions and methods for promoting gas mixtures separations, such as a carbon dioxide and methane mixture. The composition of the invention is based on a curable polymerized room-temperature ionic liquid [poly(RTIL)].

Abstract: The invention includes methods of reversibly tuning the effective pore size and/or solute rejection selectivity of a nanoporous lyotropic liquid crystal (LLC) polymer membrane. The membranes of the invention have high levels of pore size uniformity, allowing for size discrimination separation, and may be used for separation processes such as liquid-phase separations.

Abstract: Provided herein is a block copolymer hydrogel, comprising a glass formed from a dry blend of polystyrene-poly(ethylene oxide) diblock copolymer (SO) and polystyrene-poly(ethylene oxide)-polystyrene triblock copolymer (SOS) in a molar ratio from between 95:5 and 1:99 SO/SOS and a liquid medium at a concentration between about 32:1 and about 2:1 liquid medium/SO—SOS by weight. The block copolymer hydrogel has a fatigue resistance to at least 500,000 compression cycles. Also provided are methods for forming the hydrogel.

Abstract: Provided herein is a block copolymer hydrogel, comprising a glass formed from a dry blend of polystyrene-poly(ethylene oxide) diblock copolymer (SO) and polystyrene-poly(ethylene oxide)-polystyrene triblock copolymer (SOS) in a molar ratio from between 95:5 and 1:99 SO/SOS and a liquid medium at a concentration between about 32:1 and about 2:1 liquid medium/SO—SOS by weight. The block copolymer hydrogel has a fatigue resistance to at least 500,000 compression cycles. Also provided are methods for forming the hydrogel.

Abstract: The invention includes methods of reversibly tuning the effective pore size and/or solute rejection selectivity of a nanoporous lyotropic liquid crystal (LLC) polymer membrane. The membranes of the invention have high levels of pore size uniformity, allowing for size discrimination separation, and may be used for separation processes such as liquid-phase separations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mixed-matrix composition comprising polymer having a fractional free volume of at least 0.1 and porous particles.

Abstract: The present invention provides gels, solutions, films, membranes, compositions, and other materials containing polymerized and/or non-polymerized room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs). These materials are useful in catalysis, gas separation and as antistatic agents. The RTILs are preferably imidazolium-based RTILs which are optionally substituted, such as with one or more hydroxyl groups. Optionally, the materials of the present invention are composite materials comprising both polymerized and non-polymerized RTILs. The RTIL polymer is formed from polymerized RTIL cations typically synthesized as monomers and polymerized in the presence of the non-polymerized RTIL cations to provide a solid composite material. The non-polymerized RTIL cations are not covalently bound to the cationic polymer but remain as free cations within the composite material able to associate with charged subunits of the polymer. These composite materials are useful in catalysis, gas separation, and antistatic applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides gels, solutions, films, membranes, compositions, and other materials containing polymerized and/or non-polymerized room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs). These materials are useful in catalysis, gas separation and as antistatic agents. The RTILs are preferably imidazolium-based RTILs which are optionally substituted, such as with one or more hydroxyl groups. Optionally, the materials of the present invention are composite materials comprising both polymerized and non-polymerized RTILs. The RTIL polymer is formed from polymerized RTIL cations typically synthesized as monomers and polymerized in the presence of the non-polymerized RTIL cations to provide a solid composite material. The non-polymerized RTIL cations are not covalently bound to the cationic polymer but remain as free cations within the composite material able to associate with charged subunits of the polymer. These composite materials are useful in catalysis, gas separation, and antistatic applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mixed-matrix composition comprising polymer having a fractional free volume of at least 0.1 and porous particles.

Abstract: Electrochemical actuation is disclosed for fluid movement and flow control in microfluidic devices, allowing for miniaturization, minimal power requirements, single-use disposability and engineering of small, complex fluidic networks. In one embodiment, a single-dose fluid delivery device is operable to deliver a bolus dose, in a single extended stroke or in multiple repeated doses. The device uses three electrochemically-actuated chambers, two of the chambers operating as inlet/outlet valves for the device and a third providing both a temporary containment and pumping action. By sequential manipulation of the fluid pressure in the three chambers, fluids may be delivered in precise quantities by the device.

Abstract: Porous bulk materials formed of shape-persistent, non-collapsible, three-dimensional molecular cage building blocks are presented that are useful for a variety of applications including gas separation/storage, sensing, and catalysis.

Abstract: The present invention provides gels, solutions, films, membranes, compositions, and other materials containing polymerized and/or non-polymerized room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs). These materials are useful in catalysis, gas separation and as antistatic agents. The RTILs are preferably imidazolium-based RTILs which are optionally substituted, such as with one or more hydroxyl groups. Optionally, the materials of the present invention are composite materials comprising both polymerized and non-polymerized RTILs. The RTIL polymer is formed from polymerized RTIL cations typically synthesized as monomers and polymerized in the presence of the non-polymerized RTIL cations to provide a solid composite material. The non-polymerized RTIL cations are not covalently bound to the cationic polymer but remain as free cations within the composite material able to associate with charged subunits of the polymer. These composite materials are useful in catalysis, gas separation, and antistatic applications.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for making silicoaluminophosphate-34 (SAPO-34) membranes comprising interlocking SAPO-34 crystals. In the methods of the invention, the SAPO-34 membranes are formed through in situ crystallization on a porous support using a synthesis mixture initially including a SAPO-34 forming gel and a plurality of SAPO-34 crystals dispersed in the gel. The invention also provides supported SAPO-34 membranes made by the methods of the invention. The invention also provides methods for separating a first gas component from a gas mixture, the methods comprising the step of providing a membrane of the invention.

Abstract: A method of forming a nanoporous membrane includes preparing a solution of a gemini Imidazolium Lyotropic Liquid Crystal (LLC) monomer, a polar low-volatility organic solvent, and a radical photo-initiator in a volatile organic solvent; solvent-casting the solution onto a porous material, evaporating the volatile organic solvent; heating such that the gemini imidazolium monomer forms a Q-phase material and photopolymerizing the imidazolium monomer by exposing the radical photo-initiator to UV light; and exchanging the polar low-volatility organic solvent. Also disclosed is a membrane composed of polymerized gemini imidazolium LLC monomers, and a thin-film composite membrane having the Q-phase material supported on a porous supporting membrane.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for making improved zeolite and crystalline silicoaluminophosphate (SAPO) membranes, in particular SAPO-34 membranes, on a porous support through improved removal of the organic structure-directing templating agent. A calcining step is performed in an oxygen free atmosphere, such as under a vacuum or inert gas, to remove the organic templating agent. By removing the templating agent in the absence of oxygen, the calcination step can remove a greater amount of the templating agent than comparable template removal steps conducted in the presence of oxygen and the calcination step can be conducted at significantly lower temperatures. The membranes of the present invention provide increased permeance while maintaining comparable selectivity for gas separations, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) separations and separations at high temperatures.

Abstract: SAPO-34 membranes and methods for their preparation and use are described. The SAPO-34 membranes are prepared by contacting at least one surface of a porous membrane support with a synthesis gel. The Si/Al ratio of the synthesis gel can be from 0.3 to 0.15. SAPO-34 crystals are optionally applied to the surface of the support prior to synthesis. A layer of SAPO-34 crystals is formed on at least one surface of the support. SAPO-34 crystals may also form in the pores of the support. SAPO-34 membranes of the invention can have improved selectivity for certain gas mixtures, including mixtures of carbon dioxide and methane.

Abstract: Porous bulk materials formed of shape-persistent, non-collapsible, three-dimensional molecular cage building blocks are presented that are useful for a variety of applications including gas separation/storage, sensing, and catalysis.