Modification of Poly(4-methyl-2-pentyne) in the Supercritical Fluid Medium for Selective Membrane Separation of CO₂ from Various Gas Mixtures

The modification of highly permeable films of brominated 1,2-disubstituted polyacetylene, poly(4-methyl-2-penthyne), via incorporation of in situ formed butylimidazolium bromide is reported for the first time. Principal possibility and efficiency of supercritical CO₂ and CHF₃ use as reaction media for the corresponding process, namely for quaternization of butylimidazole by brominated polymer are revealed. As a result, we prepared new membrane materials possessing promising properties such as stability toward organic solvents, good mechanical properties and significantly improved CO₂-selectivity while maintaining gas permeability at high values. Comparative analysis of the results allowed us to determine content and conditions for the incorporation of butylimidazolium groups optimal for most efficient separation of CO₂ from industrial gas mixtures. These results are of interest for the designing of new CO₂ selective membranes.