Abstract: Polymer blends comprising an ortho-functionalized polyimide homo or copolymer and a polybenzimidazole homo or copolymer, wherein the ortho-functionalized polyimide thermally rearranges to a polymer comprising a phenylene heterocyclic group, such as, polybenzoxazole, polybenzothiazole, polybenzimidazole and/or other heterocyclic structure upon heating. Also disclosed are method of forming a polymer blend comprising dissolving an ortho-functionalized polyimide homo or copolymer and a polybenzimidazole homo or copolymer in a solvent, and optional compatibilizer, to form a polymer solution; contacting a support with the polymer solution; and evaporating the solvent to provide a thin layer comprising the polymer blend on the support. Further, methods of heat treating these polymer blends to thermally rearrange the disclosed polyimides are disclosed, as are the polymer blends prepared thereby. Methods of using these polymer blends to separate gases are also disclosed.

Abstract: Described herein are water desalination membranes and methods of desalinating water. Sulfonated poly(arylene ether) polymers are also disclosed, including those comprising one or more sulfonate groups at various points along the polymer chain. The polymers may be used as at least a portion of a water desalination membrane. The polymers described herein are useful for preventing transport of aqueous ionic species (e.g., Na+ and Cl?) across a membrane made from the polymers while allowing water to pass. Chlorine-stable polymers are described, as well as polymers exhibiting good performance for rejecting monovalent cations in the presence of polyvalent cations.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to methods and systems for separating olefins from a mixture that includes olefins and non-olefins. The methods include associating the mixture with a support that is embedded with an ionic liquid and a metal ion. The ionic liquid prevents the substantial reduction of the metal ion by reducing agents while the metal ion mediates the transport of the olefin through the support by selectively and reversibly coupling with the olefin. In some embodiments, the support may be in the form of supported ionic liquid porous membranes, and the ionic liquid may be held within the pores of the support by capillary forces. In some embodiments, the support may be in the form of a composite, and the ionic liquid may be dispersed throughout the composite. In some embodiments, the metal ion may be dissolved in the ionic liquid and dispersed throughout the support.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to methods and systems for separating olefins from a mixture that includes olefins and non-olefins. The methods include associating the mixture with a support that is embedded with an ionic liquid and a metal ion. The ionic liquid prevents the substantial reduction of the metal ion by reducing agents while the metal ion mediates the transport of the olefin through the support by selectively and reversibly coupling with the olefin. In some embodiments, the support may be in the form of supported ionic liquid porous membranes, and the ionic liquid may be held within the pores of the support by capillary forces. In some embodiments, the support may be in the form of a composite, and the ionic liquid may be dispersed throughout the composite. In some embodiments, the metal ion may be dissolved in the ionic liquid and dispersed throughout the support.

Abstract: Polymer blends comprising an ortho-functionalized polyimide homo or copolymer and a polybenzimidazole homo or copolymer, wherein the ortho-functionalized polyimide thermally rearranges to a polymer comprising a phenylene heterocyclic group, such as, polybenzoxazole, polybenzothiazole, polybenzimidazole and/or other heterocyclic structure upon heating. Also disclosed are method of forming a polymer blend comprising dissolving an ortho-functionalized polyimide homo or copolymer and a polybenzimidazole homo or copolymer in a solvent, and optional compatibilizer, to form a polymer solution; contacting a support with the polymer solution; and evaporating the solvent to provide a thin layer comprising the polymer blend on the support. Further, methods of heat treating these polymer blends to thermally rearrange the disclosed polyimides are disclosed, as are the polymer blends prepared thereby. Methods of using these polymer blends to separate gases are also disclosed.

Abstract: Described herein are water desalination membranes and methods of desalinating water. Sulfonated poly(arylene ether) polymers are also disclosed, including those comprising one or more sulfonate groups at various points along the polymer chain. The polymers may be used as at least a portion of a water desalination membrane. The polymers described herein are useful for preventing transport of aqueous ionic species (e.g., Na+ and Cl?) across a membrane made from the polymers while allowing water to pass. Chlorine-stable polymers are described, as well as polymers exhibiting good performance for rejecting monovalent cations in the presence of polyvalent cations.

Abstract: Disclosed are polybenzimidazoles containing sulfonyl groups. The polymers can be synthesized in Eaton's reagent from 3,3?,4,4?-tetraaminodiphenylsulfone, which itself can be synthesized from 4,4?-dichlorodiphenylsulfone. Methods of synthesizing the polymers are disclosed. The disclosed polymers can be used for high temperature H2/CO2 separation membranes and other uses.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a gas separation membrane includes providing a coextruded multilayer film that includes a first polymer layer formed of a first polymer material and a second polymer layer formed of a second polymer material, the first polymer material having a first gas permeability. The coextruded multilayer film is axially oriented such that the second polymer layer has a second gas permeability that is greater than the first gas permeability.

Abstract: Disclosed are polybenzimidazoles containing sulfonyl groups. The polymers can be synthesized in Eaton's reagent from 3,3?,4,4?-tetraaminodiphenylsulfone, which itself can be synthesized from 4,4?-dichlorodiphenylsulfone. Methods of synthesizing the polymers are disclosed. The disclosed polymers can be used for high temperature H2/CO2 separation membranes and other uses.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a gas separation membrane includes providing a coextruded multilayer film that includes a first polymer layer formed of a first polymer material and a second polymer layer formed of a second polymer material, the first polymer material having a first gas permeability. The coextruded multilayer film is axially oriented such that the second polymer layer has a second gas permeability that is greater than the first gas permeability.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a gas separation membrane includes providing a coextruded multilayer film that includes a first polymer layer formed of a first polymer material and a second polymer layer formed of a second polymer material, the first polymer material having a first gas permeability. The coextruded multilayer film is axially oriented such that the second polymer layer has a second gas permeability that is greater than the first gas permeability.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a gas separation membrane includes providing a coextruded multilayer film that includes a first polymer layer formed of a first polymer material and a second polymer layer formed of a second polymer material, the first polymer material having a first gas permeability. The coextruded multilayer film is axially oriented such that the second polymer layer has a second gas permeability that is greater than the first gas permeability.

Abstract: The present invention includes a polymer formed by the thermal rearrangement of an ortho-functional polyimide synthesized via chemical imidization with permeation properties for gas separation membranes higher than those synthesized via thermal imidization and a method for forming that polymer having tailored transport properties and different chemical resistance. The present invention also includes a polymer formed by the thermal rearrangement of an ortho-functional polyimide in which a portion of the ortho-position functional group is lost during thermal rearrangement to yield a thermally rearranged polymer with higher permeability than would be seen without the ortho-position group. This ortho-position group can be the result of chemical imidization, or the result of a post-imidization modification reaction.

Abstract: Synthesis and use of a new class of polymeric materials with favorable separation characteristics for the dehydration of ethanol and other organic solvents is described herein. The thermally rearranged (TR) polybenzoxazole (PBO), polybenzimidazole (PBI) and polybenzothiazole (PBT) membranes of the present invention can be used for the dehydration of ethanol during processing to fuel grade biodiesel by either pervaporation or vapor permeation. The unique microstructure of the membranes provides excellent separation characteristics, and this, coupled with their inherent thermal and chemical stability, enables their usage in other separations, such as the dehydration of other organic solvents.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods and compositions for liquid separation and water purification. The present invention includes a purification membrane having a polymer matrix purification membrane that has been treated with hydroquinone, catechol, and/or dopamine coated membrane with a high water flux.

Abstract: Azidoaryl-substituted cyclooctene monomers and synthesized and used in the preparation of various copolymers. Among these copolymers are those prepared from ring-opening metathesis polymerization of cyclooctene, polyethylene glycol-substituted cyclooctene, and azidoaryl-substituted cyclooctene. These copolymers are useful in the formation of crosslinked films that reduce fouling of water purification membranes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a membrane, kit, and method of making a hydrophilic-hydrophobic random copolymer membrane. The hydrophilic-hydrophobic random copolymer membrane includes a hydrophilic-hydrophobic random copolymer. The hydrophilic-hydrophobic random copolymer includes one or more hydrophilic monomers having a sulfonated polyarylsulfone monomer and a second monomer and one or more hydrophobic monomers having a non-sulfonated third monomer and a fourth monomer. The sulfonated polyarylsulfone monomer introduces a sulfonate into the hydrophilic-hydrophobic random copolymer prior to polymerization.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods and compositions for liquid separation and water purification. The present invention includes a purification membrane having a polymer matrix purification membrane that has been treated with dopamine to form a polydopamine coated membrane with a high water flux and a high hydrophilicity.

Abstract: Azidoaryl-substituted cyclooctene monomers and synthesized and used in the preparation of various copolymers. Among these copolymers are those prepared from ring-opening metathesis polymerization of cyclooctene, polyethylene glycol-substituted cyclooctene, and azidoaryl-substituted cyclooctene. These copolymers are useful in the formation of crosslinked films that reduce fouling of water purification membranes.

Abstract: The present invention describes methods and compositions for the reduction, prevention and elimination of biofilm formation on a surface. The present invention provides a method of depositing a coating material to reduce or prevent biofilm formation on a surface by adding a dopamine coating material to a liquid solvent to form a solution mixture, adjusting a pH of the solution mixture to 8, 9, or 10 and dissolving the dopamine coating material in the liquid solvent. The solution mixture is then placed into contact with one or more surfaces to form a dopamine coating on the surface to reduce biofilm formation.