Abstract: Novel membranes suitable for use in separation applications are described, as well as processes by which the membranes are made and uses of the membranes in a range of separation applications. The membranes are obtainable by an interfacial polymerisation reaction involving two monomers, in which at least one of the monomers comprises oligomeric portions that are suitable for tuning the separation characteristics of the membrane, particularly in liquid separations, such as organic solvent nanofiltration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite membrane for gas separation and/or nanofiltration of a feed stream solution comprising a solvent and dissolved solutes and showing preferential rejection of the solutes. The composite membrane comprises a separating layer with intrinsic microporosity. The separating layer is suitably formed by interfacial polymerisation on a support membrane. Suitably, at least one of the monomers used in the interfacial polymerisation reaction should possess concavity, resulting in a network polymer with interconnected nanopores and a membrane with enhanced permeability. The support membrane may be optionally impregnated with a conditioning agent and may be optionally stable in organic solvents, particularly in polar aprotic solvents. The top layer of the composite membrane is optionally capped with functional groups to change the surface chemistry. The composite membrane may be cured in the oven to enhance rejection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing an asymmetric integrally skinned membrane for the separation of at least one solute from a solution, comprising the steps of: (a) preparing a polybenzimidazole dope solution comprising: (i) a polybenzimidazole polymer, and (ii) a solvent system for said polybenzimidazole which is water miscible; (b) casting a film of said dope solution onto a support; (c) immersing the film cast on the support into a coagulating medium to form an asymmetric integrally skinned membrane; (d) treating the membrane from step (c) with a cross-linking agent; (e) treating the membrane from step (d) with a cross-link modification agent. Further aspects relate to an asymmetric integrally skinned membrane and uses thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for curing adhesives used in the manufacture of membrane modules containing polymeric membranes, particularly polyimide based membranes used for the nanofiltration or ultrafiltration of solutes dissolved in organic solvents using microwaves. To maximise the chemical resistance of the adhesive used in these organic solvent applications, it must be as fully reacted and crosslinked (“cured”) as possible. Typically, thermal processing (heating) of the entire membrane module is used to cure the adhesives. However, the time and temperature required to achieve this high degree of completion of reaction may damage the separation performance of the membrane contained within the membrane module. In one particular aspect, this process utilises microwaves to preferentially promote the curing of epoxy adhesives over the general heating of the membrane module.

Abstract: Processes for the preparation of composite membranes are disclosed, as well as the composite membranes obtainable by these processes. The processes employ a step of roller coating a porous support substrate with an essentially solventless coating mixture containing a cationically UV curable compound, which can then be cured in an oxygen-containing atmosphere. The process thereby dispenses with—or greatly reduces the impact of—a number of the prominent processing constraints of prior art techniques, thereby affording a more streamlined and less energetically burdensome membrane manufacturing process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite membrane for gas separation and/or nanofiltration of a feed stream solution comprising a solvent and dissolved solutes and showing preferential rejection of the solutes. The composite membrane comprises a separating layer with intrinsic microporosity. The separating layer is suitably formed by interfacial polymerisation on a support membrane. Suitably, at least one of the monomers used in the interfacial polymerisation reaction should possess concavity, resulting in a network polymer with interconnected nanopores and a membrane with enhanced permeability. The support membrane may be optionally impregnated with a conditioning agent and may be optionally stable in organic solvents, particularly in polar aprotic solvents. The top layer of the composite membrane is optionally capped with functional groups to change the surface chemistry. The composite membrane may be cured in the oven to enhance rejection.

Abstract: 2-dimensional carbon thin films are described, as well as their processes of preparation, and their specific uses. The 2-dimensional carbon thin films are fabricated by preparing an organic polymeric thin film precursor, which is then subjected to a carbonisation process to remove at least some of the non-carbon atoms. Using the disclosed process, 2-dimensional carbon thin films having improved dimensional characteristics can be reliably prepared, which presents clear advantages in applications which have until now been restricted to the use of 2-dimensional carbon thin films having less useful dimensions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite membrane for gas separation and/or nanofiltration of a feed stream solution comprising a solvent and dissolved solutes and showing preferential rejection of the solutes. The composite membrane comprises a separating layer with intrinsic microporosity. The separating layer is suitably formed by interfacial polymerization on a support membrane. Suitably, at least one of the monomers used in the interfacial polymerization reaction should possess concavity, resulting in a network polymer with interconnected nanopores and a membrane with enhanced permeability. The support membrane may be optionally impregnated with a conditioning agent and may be optionally stable in organic solvents, particularly in polar aprotic solvents. The top layer of the composite membrane is optionally capped with functional groups to change the surface chemistry. The composite membrane may be cured in the oven to enhance rejection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite membrane for nanofiltration of a feed stream solution comprising a solvent and dissolved solutes and showing preferential rejection of the solutes. The composite membrane comprises a thin polymeric film formed by interfacial polymerization on a support membrane. The support membrane is further impregnated with a conditioning agent and is stable in polar aprotic solvents. The composite membrane is optionally treated in a quenching medium, where the interfacial polymerization reaction can be quenched and, in certain embodiments, membrane chemistry can be modified. Finally the composite membrane is treated with an activating solvent prior to nanofiltration.

Abstract: Improved integrally skinned asymmetric membranes for organic solvent nanofiltration, and their methods of preparation and use are disclosed. Membranes are formed from polybenzimidazoles by phase inversion and are then crosslinked by addition of crosslinking agents. These stabilize the membranes and allow solvent nanofiltration to be maintained even in the solvents from which the membranes were formed by phase inversion, and in strongly acidic and strongly basic solvents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing an asymmetric integrally skinned membrane for the separation of at least one solute from a solution, comprising the steps of: (a) preparing a polybenzimidazole dope solution comprising: (i) a polybenzimidazole polymer, and (ii) a solvent system for said polybenzimidazole which is water miscible; (b) casting a film of said dope solution onto a support; (c) immersing the film cast on the support into a coagulating medium to form an asymmetric integrally skinned membrane; (d) treating the membrane from step (c) with a cross-linking agent; (e) treating the membrane from step (d) with a cross-link modification agent. Further aspects relate to an asymmetric integrally skinned membrane and uses thereof.

Abstract: A process for preparing non-naturally-occurring defined monomer sequence polymers is provided, and in which a high degree of synthetic control is obtained by the use of solvent resistant diafiltration membranes. Also provided is a process for separating non-naturally-occurring defined monomer sequence polymers from synthetic by-products or excess reagents using solvent resistant diafiltration membranes, and a use of a solvent resistant diafiltration membrane in processes for preparing and separating non-naturally-occurring defined monomer sequence polymers.

Abstract: 2-dimensional carbon thin films are described, as well as their processes of preparation, and their specific uses. The 2-dimensional carbon thin films are fabricated by preparing an organic polymeric thin film precursor, which is then subjected to a carbonisation process to remove at least some of the non-carbon atoms. Using the disclosed process, 2-dimensional carbon thin films having improved dimensional characteristics can be reliably prepared, which presents clear advantages in applications which have until now been restricted to the use of 2-dimensional carbon thin films having less useful dimensions.

Abstract: A process for preparing non-naturally-occurring defined monomer sequence polymers is provided, and in which a high degree of synthetic control is obtained by the use of solvent resistant diafiltration membranes. Also provided is a process for separating non-naturally-occurring defined monomer sequence polymers from synthetic by-products or excess reagents using solvent resistant diafiltration membranes, and a use of a solvent resistant diafiltration membrane in processes for preparing and separating non-naturally-occurring defined monomer sequence polymers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for curing adhesives used in the manufacture of membrane modules containing polymeric membranes, particularly polyimide based membranes used for the nanofiltration or ultrafiltration of solutes dissolved in organic solvents using microwaves. To maximise the chemical resistance of the adhesive used in these organic solvent applications, it must be as fully reacted and crosslinked (“cured”) as possible. Typically, thermal processing (heating) of the entire membrane module is used to cure the adhesives. However, the time and temperature required to achieve this high degree of completion of reaction may damage the separation performance of the membrane contained within the membrane module. In one particular aspect, this process utilises microwaves to preferentially promote the curing of epoxy adhesives over the general heating of the membrane module.

Abstract: Improved integrally skinned asymmetric membranes for organic solvent nanofiltration, and their methods of preparation and use are disclosed. Membranes are formed from polybenzimidazoles by phase inversion and are then crosslinked by addition of crosslinking agents. These stabilise the membranes and allow solvent nanofiltration to be maintained even in the solvents from which the membranes were formed by phase inversion, and in strongly acidic and strongly basic solvents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite membrane for nanofiltration of a feed stream solution comprising a solvent and dissolved solutes and showing preferential rejection of the solutes. The composite membrane comprises a thin polymeric film formed by interfacial polymerisation on a support membrane. The support membrane is further impregnated with a conditioning agent and is stable in polar aprotic solvents. The composite membrane is optionally treated in a quenching medium, where the interfacial polymerisation reaction can be quenched and, in certain embodiments, membrane chemistry can be modified. Finally the composite membrane is treated with an activating solvent prior to nanofiltration.

Abstract: Asymmetric integrally-skinned PAEK nanofiltration membranes suitable for nanofiltration of an organic solvent feed stream are disclosed, together with their uses in organic solvent nanofiltration, and their methods of preparation. Membranes are prepared from phase inversion processes and are then subjected to a post-manufacturing heat treatment step in order to arrive at molecular weight cut off characteristics within the nanofiltration region. The membranes exhibit stability over a wide range of p H and temperature.

Abstract: A high mass transfer membrane for use in membrane phase contactors to extract a solute from an aqueous phase to a solvent phase and their method of preparation and use are disclosed. The membrane is formed from polyimide by phase inversion and may optionally be crosslinked to maintain stability even in the solvents from which the membranes were formed by phase phase inversion.

Abstract: This invention relates to the synthesis of polymers. More specifically, the present invention relates to the synthesis of heterobifunctional polymers and polymers with narrow and mono-disperse molecular weight distributions, and especially to the application of membranes to the synthesis of these polymers.