Abstract: A novel process for making PBI films starting from gel PBI membranes polymerized and casted in the PPA process wherein acid-imbibed gel PBIs are neutralized in a series of water baths and undergo controlled drying in association with a substrate material, yielding a PBI film without the use of organic solvents.

Abstract: Disclosed are redox flow battery membranes, redox flow batteries incorporating the membranes, and methods of forming the membranes. The membranes include a polybenzimidazole gel membrane that is capable of incorporating a high liquid content without loss of structure that is formed according to a process that includes in situ hydrolysis of a polyphosphoric acid solvent. The membranes are imbibed with a redox flow battery supporting electrolyte such as sulfuric acid and can operate at very high ionic conductivities of about 100 mS/cm or greater. Redox flow batteries incorporating the PBI-based membranes can operate at high current densities of about 100 mA/cm2 or greater.

Abstract: Described herein are proton exchange membrane style electrolyzers, and methods of making same, with a polybenzimidazole (PBI) or sulfonated polybenzimidazole (s-PBI) membrane and metal catalysts on the anode and cathode, which enables both acid independent membrane resistance and lower membrane resistance with higher operating temperatures.

Abstract: The current disclosure teaches one to achieve PBI membranes with high ionic conductivity and low mechanical creep for the first time. This is in contrast to previous teachings of PBI membrane fabrication methods, which yield PBIs with either high ionic conductivity and high mechanical creep or low ionic conductivity and low mechanical creep. The membranes produced according to the disclosed process provide doped membranes for applications in fuel cells and electrolysis devices such as electrochemical separation devices.

Abstract: Disclosed are redox flow battery membranes, redox flow batteries incorporating the membranes, and methods of forming the membranes. The membranes include a polybenzimidazole gel membrane that is capable of incorporating a high liquid content without loss of structure that is formed according to a process that includes in situ hydrolysis of a polyphosphoric acid solvent. The membranes are imbibed with a redox flow battery supporting electrolyte such as sulfuric acid and can operate at very high ionic conductivities of about 100 mS/cm or greater. Redox flow batteries incorporating the PBI-based membranes can operate at high current densities of about 100 mA/cm2 or greater.

Abstract: Disclosed are redox flow battery membranes, redox flow batteries incorporating the membranes, and methods of forming the membranes. The membranes include a densified polybenzimidazole gel membrane that is capable of incorporating a high liquid content without loss of structure that is formed according to a process that includes in situ hydrolysis of a polyphosphoric acid solvent followed by densification of the gel membrane. The densified membranes are then imbibed with a redox flow battery supporting electrolyte such as sulfuric acid and can operate at very high ionic conductivities of about 50 mS/cm or greater and with low permeability of redox couple ions, e.g. vanadium ions, of about 10?7 cm2/s or less. Redox flow batteries incorporating the membranes can operate at current densities of about 50 mA/cm2 or greater.

Abstract: Gas separation membranes as may be used in separating gaseous materials from one another and methods of forming the membranes are described. The separation membranes include polymer-grafted nanoparticles (GNPs) as a platform and a relatively small amount of free polymer. The free polymer and the polymer grafted to the nanoparticles have the same chemical structure and similar number average molecular weights. The gas separation membranes can exhibit high ideal selectivity and can be used in a variety of applications, such as carbon capture.

Abstract: Disclosed are redox flow battery membranes, redox flow batteries incorporating the membranes, and methods of forming the membranes. The membranes include a polybenzimidazole gel membrane that is capable of incorporating a high liquid content without loss of structure that is formed according to a process that includes in situ hydrolysis of a polyphosphoric acid solvent. The membranes are imbibed with a redox flow battery supporting electrolyte such as sulfuric acid and can operate at very high ionic conductivities of about 100 mS/cm or greater. Redox flow batteries incorporating the PBI-based membranes can operate at high current densities of about 100 mA/cm2 or greater.

Abstract: A novel process for making PBI films starting from gel PBI membranes polymerized and casted in the PPA process wherein acid-imbibed gel PBIs are neutralized in a series of water baths and undergo controlled drying in association with a substrate material, yielding a PBI film without the use of organic solvents.

Abstract: A novel process for making PBI films starting from gel PBI membranes polymerized and casted in the PPA process wherein acid-imbibed gel PBIs are neutralized in a series of water baths and undergo controlled drying in association with a substrate material, yielding a PBI film without the use of organic solvents.

Abstract: The current disclosure teaches one to achieve PBI membranes with high ionic conductivity and low mechanical creep for the first time. This is in contrast to previous teachings of PBI membrane fabrication methods, which yield PBIs with either high ionic conductivity and high mechanical creep or low ionic conductivity and low mechanical creep. The membranes produced according to the disclosed process provide doped membranes for applications in fuel cells and electrolysis devices such as electrochemical separation devices.

Abstract: A polybenzimidazole (PBI) resin including a polybenzimidazole oligomer having at least two reactive end groups is provided. Also provided is a method of making a polybenzimidazole oligomer with at least two reactive end groups including the steps of reacting a tetraamine, a dicarboxylic component, and a reactive end group moiety in a solvent at a temperature greater than room temperature for a period of time; precipitating the oligomer from the solvent after reacting; and removing any reaction by-products from the oligomer after precipitating. A method of making a PBI molded article and a PBI molded article are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are redox flow battery membranes, redox flow batteries incorporating the membranes, and methods of forming the membranes. The membranes include a densified polybenzimidazole gel membrane that is capable of incorporating a high liquid content without loss of structure that is formed according to a process that includes in situ hydrolysis of a polyphosphoric acid solvent followed by densification of the gel membrane. The densified membranes are then imbibed with a redox flow battery supporting electrolyte such as sulfuric acid and can operate at very high ionic conductivities of about 50 mS/cm or greater and with low permeability of redox couple ions, e.g. vanadium ions, of about 10?7 cm2/s or less. Redox flow batteries incorporating the membranes can operate at current densities of about 50 mA/cm2 or greater.

Abstract: A novel process for making PBI films starting from gel PBI membranes polymerized and casted in the PPA process wherein acid-imbibed gel PBIs are neutralized in a series of water baths and undergo controlled drying in association with a substrate material, yielding a PBI film without the use of organic solvents.

Abstract: Disclosed are redox flow battery membranes, redox flow batteries incorporating the membranes, and methods of forming the membranes. The membranes include a polybenzimidazole gel membrane that is capable of incorporating a high liquid content without loss of structure that is formed according to a process that includes in situ hydrolysis of a polyphosphoric acid solvent. The membranes are imbibed with a redox flow battery supporting electrolyte such as sulfuric acid and can operate at very high ionic conductivities of about 100 mS/cm or greater. Redox flow batteries incorporating the PBI-based membranes can operate at high current densities of about 100 mA/cm2 or greater.

Abstract: Methods for synthesizing a polymer functionalized nanoparticle are provided. The method can include attaching a polymeric chain to a nanoparticle, wherein the polymeric chain comprises a plurality monomers, wherein the plurality of monomers comprise alkyl (meth)acrylate monomers. Polymer functionalized nanoparticles are also provided that comprise a nanoparticle defining a surface, and a polymeric chain covalently bonded to the surface of the nanoparticle, wherein the polymeric chain comprises a poly alkyl (meth)acrylate. Nanocomposites are also provided that include a plurality of these polymer functionalized nanoparticles dispersed within a polymeric matrix (e.g., a polyolefin matrix).

Abstract: A polybenzimidazole (PBI) resin including a polybenzimidazole oligomer having at least two reactive end groups is provided. Also provided is a method of making a polybenzimidazole oligomer with at least two reactive end groups including the steps of reacting a tetraamine, a dicarboxylic component, and a reactive end group moiety in a solvent at a temperature greater than room temperature for a period of time; precipitating the oligomer from the solvent after reacting; and removing any reaction by-products from the oligomer after precipitating. A method of making a PBI molded article and a PBI molded article are also provided.

Abstract: Nanoparticles having a plurality of PVP chains covalently bonded to a surface of the nanoparticle are provided, along with their methods of formation and the RAFT agents for the polymerization of the PVP chains. RAFT agents are generally provided, along with their methods of formation and use. Methods are also generally provided for grafting a PVP polymer onto a nanoparticle. In one embodiment, the method includes: polymerizing a plurality of monomers in the presence of a RAFT agent to form a polymeric chain covalently bonded to the nanoparticle.

Abstract: Disclosed are polymerization initiators as may be utilized for addition of polymers to a substrate surface. The initiators are azo-based initiators that include multi-functionality through addition of multiple anchoring agents to an inner azo group. Disclosed polymerization initiators can be utilized to form high density and high molecular weight polymers on a surface such as a particulate surface. Formed materials can be beneficial in one embodiment in fracking applications, providing composite proppant/polymer materials that can prevent leakage of polymers from a subterranean geologic formation.

Abstract: Provided are methods of separating one or more components from a fluid by using membranes and other materials comprising polymer graft nanoparticles arranged in a lattice structure. The disclosed compositions exhibit an increase in selectivity between two penetrants that is greater than the neat polymer selectivity for those penetrants. The compositions also exhibit an increase in selectivity between two penetrants with increasing permeability. Also provided are systems for effecting such separations, systems for agent detection, and additional methods for constructing separation components.