Abstract: Provided is a porous composite membrane including graphene oxide sheets; nanoparticles bound to a surface of the graphene oxide sheets solely by electrostatic and/or Van der Waals interactions. The present invention also relates to a method of producing the porous composite membrane, a gas separation system including the porous composite membrane, and uses of the porous composite membrane in a process for separating H2 from a gas stream and a process for reducing H2O swelling in a graphene oxide-based membrane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydrophilic polyimide including at least one type of building blocks [A-B] and [A-C], and represented by the formula -[A-B]n-[A-C]m— (I), wherein: the n-bracketed building blocks and the m-bracketed building blocks are randomly distributed over the polyimide chain; repeat unit A results from a monomer comprising two carboxylic anhydride moieties, repeat unit B is hydrophilic and results from a first hydrophilic monomer comprising two primary amine moieties and at least one further hydrophilic moiety different from the primary amines, and repeat unit C is hydrophilic and results from a second hydrophilic monomer comprising two primary amine moieties and at least one further hydrophilic moiety different from the primary amines; wherein: n and m represent independently an integer from 0 to about 1000; wherein n+m is an integer from about 10 to about 1000.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for manufacturing a structured polymeric material. In the method, a body is provided comprising a substantially homogenous precursor polymeric material. An interference pattern of electromagnetic radiation is set up within the body to form a partially cross-linked polymeric material, the interference pattern comprising maxima and minima of intensity of the electromagnetic radiation, the interference pattern thereby causing spatially differential cross linking of the precursor polymeric material to form crosslinked regions having relatively high cross linking density and non-crosslinked regions having relatively low cross linking density, the crosslinked regions and non-crosslinked regions corresponding to the maxima and minima of intensity of the electromagnetic radiation, respectively.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composite membrane comprising a mixed matrix membrane comprising a polymer matrix and fillers dispersed in the polymer matrix. The polymer matrix comprises a polymer having a polar functional group. The H2 permeability coefficient of the polymer matrix is 20 Barrer or more at 4 bar and 298 K. The filler has a polar functional group that may be capable of forming a hydrogen bond with the polar functional group of the polymer, and has an average diameter of 100 nm or less.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for thermal crosslinking of polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIMs) by heat treatment of PIMs under controlled oxygen concentration.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composite membrane including a polymeric membrane having an H2 permeability of 500 Barrer or more at 25 degrees C., and a coating layer deposited on the polymer membrane by oxidative polymerization.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for thermal crosslinking of polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIMs) by heat treatment of PIMs under controlled oxygen concentration.

Abstract: A nanoporous material is disclosed having a plurality of lamellae. Through each lamella is an array of penetrating pores. Adjacent lamellae are spaced apart by an intervening spacing layer. The spacing layer comprises an array of spacing elements integrally formed with and extending between the adjacent lamellae. The spacing layer has interconnected porosity extending within the spacing layer. Such a nanoporous material can be manufactured using block copolymer materials. First, a morphology is formed comprising a three dimensional array of isolated islands in a continuous matrix. The islands are formed of at least one island component of the block copolymer and the matrix is formed of at least one matrix component of the block copolymer. Next, channels are formed in the matrix between at least some of the islands. The island component is then selectively removed to leave the matrix with an array of interconnected pores.

Abstract: A nanoporous material is disclosed having a plurality of lamellae. Through each lamella is an array of penetrating pores. Adjacent lamellae are spaced apart by an intervening spacing layer. The spacing layer comprises an array of spacing elements integrally formed with and extending between the adjacent lamellae. The spacing layer has interconnected porosity extending within the spacing layer. Such a nanoporous material can be manufactured using block copolymer materials. First, a morphology is formed comprising a three dimensional array of isolated islands in a continuous matrix. The islands are formed of at least one island component of the block copolymer and the matrix is formed of at least one matrix component of the block copolymer. Next, channels are formed in the matrix between at least some of the islands. The island component is then selectively removed to leave the matrix with an array of interconnected pores.