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 invention includes compositions comprising curable imidazolium-functionalized poly(room-temperature ionic liquid) copolymers and homopolymers. The invention further includes methods of preparing and using the compositions of the invention. The invention further includes novel methods of preparing thin, supported, room-temperature ionic liquid-containing polymeric films on a porous support. In certain embodiments, the methods of the invention avoid the use of a gutter layer, which greatly reduces the overall gas permeance and selectivity of the composite membrane. In other embodiments, the films of the invention have increased gas selectivity and permeance over films prepared using methods described in the prior art.

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 invention includes compositions comprising curable imidazolium-functionalized poly(room-temperature ionic liquid) copolymers and homopolymers. The invention further includes methods of preparing and using the compositions of the invention. The invention further includes novel methods of preparing thin, supported, room-temperature ionic liquid-containing polymeric films on a porous support. In certain embodiments, the methods of the invention avoid the use of a gutter layer, which greatly reduces the overall gas permeance and selectivity of the composite membrane. In other embodiments, the films of the invention have increased gas selectivity and permeance over films prepared using methods described in the prior art.

Abstract: The invention comprises a cross-linkable lyotropic (i.e., surfactant) liquid crystal (LLC) monomer platform that forms type I bicontinuous cubic (QI) polymer networks containing 3-D interconnected nanopores.

Abstract: A method and device for storing and dispensing a fluid includes providing a vessel configured for selective dispensing of the fluid therefrom. Provided within a vessel is a nancomposite material comprising an imidazolium surfactant and an integral solvent that is essential to the formation of the nancomposite material. The fluid is contacted with the nanocomposite material for take-up of the fluid by the polymerized nanocomposite material. The fluid is released from the nanocomposite material and dispensed from the vessel.

Abstract: A modular surfactant architecture based on room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) has been developed that affords non-polymerizable and polymerizable amphiphiles that form lamellar (L), hexagonal (H) or bicontinuous cubic (Q) LLC phases when mixed with water or RTILs serving as the polar solvent. The amphiphiles are imidazolium salts having two or more imidazolium head groups joined by one or more spacers. Polymerization of the LLC assembly can produce polymeric materials having ordered nanopores, with the ordering of the pores determined by the LLC phase.

Abstract: The invention provides cross-linked lyotropic liquid crystal (LLC) copolymers having ordered nanometer-sized pores lined with functional groups. The copolymers are formed by copolymerizing LLC monomers with strong LLC character and functionalized monomers with no or weak LLC character to form an LLC phase. Both the LLC monomers and the functionalized monomers contain hydrogen-bonding groups and hydrogen-bonding is believed to assist in the formation of the LLC phase of the blended mixture. Different classes of functional groups useful for the invention include, but are not limited to, acidic groups, basic groups, catalytic groups, oxidizing agents, reducing agents, polymerization initiators, binding agents, optically active groups, and electrically active groups. The invention also provides methods for making the cross-linked LLC copolymers of the invention.

Abstract: The invention provides composite nanofiltration membranes (FIG. 5) with lyotropic liquid crystal (LLC) polymer porous membranes (30) attached to a porous support (20). The LLC membranes are prepared from LLC monomers which form the inverted hexagonal or bicontinuous cubic phase. The arrangement, size, and chemical properties of the pores can be tailored on the molecular level. The composite membrane of the invention is useful for separation processes involving aqueous and nonaqueous solutions as well as gases. Methods for making and using the composite nanofiltration membranes of the inventions are also provided.