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Polymer nanofilm with amphiphilic network for fast and precise molecular separation
Kaibo Zhang1, Chenglong Yang1, Zhenggong Wang1
1State Key Laboratory of Bioinspired Interfacial Materials Science, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China; Collaborative Innovation Center of Suzhou Nano Science and Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Polymer, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China.
Researchers developed an amphiphilic polyester/amide membrane for organic solvent nanofiltration (OSN). This advanced membrane offers high permeance and precise molecular separation for various organic solvents, enhancing industrial applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Chemical Engineering
- Separation Science
Background:
- Organic solvent nanofiltration (OSN) is vital for chemical, pharmaceutical, and energy industries.
- Membrane material design is key to achieving efficient separation performance in OSN.
Purpose of the Study:
- To fabricate an amphiphilic polyester/amide thin-film composite membrane for enhanced OSN.
- To tailor the membrane's pore structure for precise molecular discrimination and high solvent permeance.
Main Methods:
- Interfacial polymerization using 2,2-bis(3-amino-4-hydroxyphenyl)hexafluoropropane (bisAPAF) and trimesoyl chloride (TMC).
- Incorporation of CF3 groups to create amphiphilic nanochannels.
- Modulation of NaOH additives to control pore structure and molecular weight cut-off.
Main Results:
- The membrane exhibited simultaneous high permeance for polar and non-polar organic solvents.
- Achieved methanol and n-hexane permeances of 16.6 and 8.5 L m⁻² h⁻¹ bar⁻¹, respectively.
- Demonstrated a molecular weight cut-off of 343 Da with excellent structural integrity and anti-swelling properties.
Conclusions:
- The amphiphilic network design enables tailored transport pathways for highly perm-selective OSN membranes.
- This strategy offers a molecular-level approach for advanced membrane development in organic solvent separations.
- The developed membrane shows significant potential for industrial applications requiring efficient and selective solvent separation.
