Abstract: The present invention discloses mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) comprising ion-exchanged molecular sieves such as UZM-5 zeolite ion-exchanged with Li+ cation (Li-UZM-5) and a continuous polymer matrix and methods for making and using these membranes. These MMMs, comprising ion-exchanged molecular sieves, in the form of symmetric dense films, asymmetric flat sheets, asymmetric hollow fibers, or thin-film composites, have exhibited simultaneously increased selectivity and permeability (or permeance) over polymer-only membranes and the mixed matrix membranes made from molecular sieves that have not been ion exchanged for gas separations. These MMMs are suitable for a variety of liquid, gas, and vapor separations such as desalination of water by reverse osmosis, deep desulfurization of gasoline and diesel fuels, ethanol/water separations, pervaporation dehydration of aqueous/organic mixtures, CO2/CH4, CO2/N2, H2/CH4, O2/N2, olefin/paraffin, iso/normal paraffins separations, and other light gas mixture separations.

Abstract: Metal-organic framework (MOF)-polymer mixed matrix membranes (MOF-MMMs) have been prepared by dispersing high surface area MOFs (e.g. IRMOF-1) into a polymer matrix (e.g. Matrimid 5218). The MOFs allow the polymer to infiltrate the pores of the MOFs, which improves the interfacial and mechanical properties of the polymer and in turn affects permeability. Pure gas permeation tests show the incorporation of 20 wt-% of IRMOF-1 in Matrimid 5218 polyimide matrix results in 280% improvement in CO2 permeability without a loss of CO2/CH4 selectivity compared to those of the pure Matrimid 5218 membrane. This type of MOF-MMMs has significantly improved gas separation performance with dramatically high CO2 permeability (>35 barrer) and higher than 29 CO2/CH4 selectivity at 50° C. under 100 psig pressure, which are attractive candidates for practical gas separation applications such as CO2 removal from natural gas.

Abstract: This invention involves a composition, a method of making, and an application of high plasticization-resistant chemically cross-linked polymeric membranes such as cross-linked cellulose acetate (CA) membrane. These cross-linked polymeric membranes with covalently interpolymer-chain-connected rigid networks showed no decrease in CO2/CH4 ideal selectivity under 690 kPa (100 psig) pure CO2 pressure and also no CO2 plasticization up to 3447 kPa (500 psig) pure CO2 pressure. By using the method of chemical cross-linking as described in this invention, the separation characteristics of the polymeric membranes can be decisively improved. These new cross-linked polymeric membranes can be used not only for gas separations such as CO2/CH4 and CO2/N2 separations, O2/N2 separation, olefin/paraffin separations (e.g. propylene/propane separation), iso/normal paraffins separations, but also for liquid separations such as pervaporation and desalination.

Abstract: The present invention is for crosslinked membranes and in particular for crosslinked poly(ethylene oxide)-cellulose acetate-silsesquioxane (PEO-CA-Si) organic-inorganic hybrid membranes and their use in gas separation. These crosslinked PEO-CA-Si membranes were prepared by in-situ sol-gel co-condensation of crosslinkable PEO-organotrialkoxysilane and CA-organotrialkoxysilane polymers in the presence of acetic acid catalyst during the formation of membranes. The crosslinkable PEO- and CA-organotrialkoxysilane polymers were synthesized via the reaction between the hydroxyl groups on PEO (or on CA) and the isocyanate on organotrialkoxysilane to form urethane linkages under mild conditions. The crosslinked PEO-CA-Si membranes exhibited both increased selectivity of CO2/N2 and CO2 permeability as compared to a CA membrane, suggesting that these membranes are very promising for gas separations such as CO2/N2 separation.

Abstract: A process for producing an ElAPO molecular sieve with essentially pure CHA framework is disclosed. When El is silicon the process allows for a broad range of silicon content, and produces a catalyst with a high selectivity for the conversion of methanol to olefins.

Abstract: A process for producing an ElAPO molecular sieve with essentially pure CHA framework having an average crystal size less than about 5 micrometers is disclosed. When El is silicon, the process allows for a broad range of silicon content, and produces a catalyst with a high selectivity for the conversion of methanol to olefins. The process includes making a crystalline metallo-aluminophosphate molecular sieve of the formula (ElxAlyPz)O2from a mixture comprising an aluminum source, a phosphorous source, water, an El source, a fluorine source and an organic template source wherein the molar ratio of the organic template source to phosphorous is less than about 0.5; crystallizing the molecular sieve at a temperature between 100 C and 250 C and calcining in air.

Abstract: A catalyst for converting methanol to light olefins and the process for making and using the catalyst are disclosed and claimed. SAPO-34 is a specific catalyst that benefits from its preparation in accordance with this invention. A seed material is used in making the catalyst that has a higher content of the EL metal than is found in the principal part of the catalyst. The molecular sieve has predominantly a roughly rectangular parallelepiped morphology crystal structure with a lower fault density and a better selectivity for light olefins.

Abstract: A catalyst for converting methanol to light olefins and the process for making and using the catalyst are disclosed and claimed. SAPO-34 is a specific catalyst that benefits from its preparation in accordance with this invention. A seed material is used in making the catalyst that has a higher content of the EL metal than is found in the principal part of the catalyst. The molecular sieve has predominantly a roughly rectangular parallelepiped morphology crystal structure with a lower fault density and a better selectivity for light olefins.

Abstract: A catalyst for converting methanol to light olefins and the process for making and using the catalyst are disclosed and claimed. SAPO-34 is a specific catalyst that benefits from its preparation in accordance with this invention. A seed material is used in making the catalyst that has a higher content of the EL metal than is found in the principal part of the catalyst. The molecular sieve has predominantly a roughly rectangular parallelepiped morphology crystal structure with a lower fault density and a better selectivity for light olefins.

Abstract: A process for forming a zeolite beta dielectric layer onto a substrate such as a silicon wafer has been developed. The zeolite beta is characterized in that it has an aluminum concentration from about 0.1 to about 2.0 wt. %, and has crystallites from about 5 to about 40 nanometers. The process involves first dealuminating a starting zeolite beta, then preparing a slurry of the dealuminated zeolite beta followed by coating a substrate, e.g. silicon wafer with the slurry, heating to form a zeolite beta film and treating the zeolite beta with a silylating agent.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an approach for making mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) and methods for using these membranes. These MMMs contain a continuous polymer matrix and dispersed microporous molecular sieve particles. In particular, the present invention is directed to make asymmetric thin-film composite MMMs by coating a thin layer of molecular sieve/polymer mixed matrix solution on top of a porous support substrate followed by controlling the formation of a thin dense selective mixed matrix layer equal or larger in thickness than any of said molecular sieve particles. The MMMs of the present invention are suitable for a variety of liquid, gas, and vapor separations. The MMMs of the present invention have at least 20% increase in selectivity for these separations compared to the polymer membranes prepared from their corresponding continuous polymer matrices.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an approach for making mixed matrix membranes (MMMS) and methods for using these membranes. These MMMs contain a continuous polymer matrix and dispersed microporous molecular sieve particles. This invention also pertains to control of the thickness of the thin dense selective mixed matrix membrane layer that is equal to or greater than the particle size of the largest molecular sieve particles for making large scale asymmetric MMMs. In particular, the invention is directed to making asymmetric flat sheet MMM by a phase inversion technique. The MMMs of the present invention exhibit at least 20% increase in selectivity compared to the polymer membranes prepared from their corresponding continuous polymer matrices. The MMMs of the present invention are suitable for a variety of liquid, gas, and vapor separations.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for making mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) and methods for using these membranes. These MMMs contain a continuous polymer matrix and dispersed microporous molecular sieve particles. This invention also pertains to control the thickness of the thin dense selective mixed matrix layer equal to or greater than the particle size of the largest molecular sieve particles for making large scale asymmetric MMMs. In particular, the invention is directed to make asymmetric hollow fiber MMM by a phase inversion technique. The MMMs of the present invention exhibit at least 20% increase in selectivity compared to the polymer membranes prepared from their corresponding continuous polymer matrices. The MMMs of the present invention are suitable for a variety of liquid, gas, and vapor separations.

Abstract: A catalyst for converting methanol to light olefins and the process for making and using the catalyst are disclosed and claimed. SAPO-34 is a specific catalyst that benefits from its preparation in accordance with this invention. A seed material is used in making the catalyst that has a higher content of the EL metal than is found in the principal part of the catalyst. The molecular sieve has predominantly a roughly rectangular parallelepiped morphology crystal structure with a lower fault density and a better selectivity for light olefins.

Abstract: The present invention discloses mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) containing polymer-functionalized low acidity, ultra low silica-to-alumina ratio, nano-sized SAPO-34 small pore molecular sieves and a continuous polymer matrix and methods for making and using these membranes. The surface functionalization of these molecular sieves provides a desired interfacial adhesion between SAPO-34 nano-particles and the continuous polymer matrix, which results in either no macrovoids or voids of less than 5 angstroms at the interface of the continuous polymer matrix and SAPO-34 in the MMMs. These MMMs, in the form of symmetric dense film, asymmetric flat sheet membrane, or asymmetric hollow fiber membranes, have good flexibility and high mechanical strength, and exhibit remarkably enhanced CO2 permeability (or CO2 permeance) and maintained CO2/CH4 selectivity over the continuous polymer matrices for CO2/CH4 separation. The MMMs of the present invention are suitable for a variety of liquid, gas, and vapor.

Abstract: The present invention discloses method for making defect-free high performance mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) containing a continuous polymer matrix and dispersed molecular sieves such as AlPO-14 or UZM-5. These MMMs can be used for separations. The novel method for making defect-free high performance MMMs comprises: post treating the MMM at a temperature ?150° C. This new method results in a MMM with either no macrovoids or voids of less than 5 angstroms at the interface of the continuous polymer matrix and the molecular sieves. The MMMs are in the form of symmetric dense film, thin-film composite (TFC), asymmetric flat sheet or asymmetric hollow fiber. These MMMs have good flexibility and high mechanical strength, and exhibit high carbon dioxide/methane (CO2/CH4) selectivity and high CO2 permeance for CO2/CH4 separation. The MMMs are suitable for a variety of liquid, gas, and vapor separations.

Abstract: The present invention discloses polymer functionalized molecular sieve/polymer mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) with either no macrovoids or voids of less than several Angstroms at the interface of the polymer matrix and the molecular sieves by incorporating polymer functionalized molecular sieves into a continuous polymer matrix. The MMMs exhibit significantly enhanced selectivity and/or permeability over the polymer membranes made from the corresponding continuous polymer matrices for separations. The MMMs are suitable for a variety of liquid, gas, and vapor separations such as deep desulfurization of gasoline and diesel fuels, ethanol/water separations, pervaporation dehydration of aqueous/organic mixtures, CO2/CH4, CO2/N2, H2/CH4, O2/N2, olefin/paraffin, iso/normal paraffins separations, and other light gas mixture separations.

Abstract: The invention discloses the use of polymer functionalized molecular sieve/polymer mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) with either no macrovoids or voids of less than several Angstroms at the interface of the polymer matrix and the molecular sieves by incorporating polyethersulfone (PES) or cellulose triacetate (CTA) functionalized molecular sieves into a continuous polyimide or cellulose acetate (CA) polymer matrix. The MMMs, particularly PES functionalized AlPO-14/polyimide MMMs and CTA functionalized AlPO-14/CA MMMs, in the form of symmetric dense film, asymmetric flat sheet membrane, or asymmetric hollow fiber have good flexibility and high mechanical strength, and exhibit significantly enhanced selectivity and/or permeability over the polymer membranes made from the corresponding continuous polymer matrices for carbon dioxide/methane (CO2/CH4), hydrogen/methane (H2/CH4), propylene/propane separations and a variety of liquid, gas, and vapor separations.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of making polymer functionalized molecular sieve/polymer mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) with either no macrovoids or voids of less than several Angstroms at the interface of the polymer matrix and the molecular sieves by incorporating polyethersulfone (PES) or cellulose triacetate (CTA) functionalized molecular sieves into a continuous polyimide or cellulose acetate polymer matrix. The MMMs, particularly PES functionalized AlPO-14/polyimide MMMs and CTA functionalized AlPO-14/CA MMMs have good flexibility and high mechanical strength, and exhibit significantly enhanced selectivity and/or permeability over the polymer membranes made from the corresponding continuous polymer matrices for carbon dioxide/methane (CO2/CH4), hydrogen/methane (H2/CH4), and propylene/propane separations.

Abstract: The present invention discloses polymer functionalized molecular sieve/polymer mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) with either no macrovoids or voids of less than several Angstroms at the interface of the polymer matrix and the molecular sieves by incorporating polyethersulfone (PES) or cellulose triacetate (CTA) functionalized molecular sieves into a continuous polyimide or cellulose acetate (CA) polymer matrix. The MMMs, in the form of symmetric dense film, asymmetric flat sheet membrane, or asymmetric hollow fiber have good flexibility and high mechanical strength, and exhibit significantly enhanced selectivity and/or permeability over the polymer membranes made from the corresponding continuous polymer matrices for carbon dioxide/methane (CO2/CH4) and hydrogen/methane (H2/CH4) separations.