The disclosure relates to processes, related polyacid polymers, and related articles for functionalizing a porous membrane by contacting the membrane with a polyacid polymer at low pH to stably adsorb a polyacid layer on the membrane pore surface, in particular polyacid polymers including repeating units with a pendent metal-binding ligand or star polyacid polymers. The resulting functionalized membrane is characterized by a high density of free acid groups, resulting in a higher specific capacity for its intended application. The process allows functionalization of porous membranes in a very simple, one-step process, for example without a need to derivatize an adsorbed polyacid layer to impart metal-binding ligand functionality thereto. Such functional membranes may find multiple uses, including rapid, selective binding of proteins for their purification or immobilization.

A carbon molecular sieve (CMS) membrane having improved separation characteristics for separating olefins from their corresponding paraffins is comprised of carbon with at most trace amounts of sulfur and a group 13 metal. The CMS membrane may be made by pyrolyzing a precursor polymer devoid of sulfur in which the precursor polymer has had a group 13 metal incorporated into it, wherein the metal is in a reduced state. The pyrolyzing for the precursor having the group 13 metal incorporated into it is performed in a nonoxidizing atmosphere and at a heating rate and temperature such that the metal in a reduced state (e.g., covalently bonded to carbon or nitrogen or in the metal state).

A porous membrane which has a sponge-like morphology. The porous membrane contains imidazole- and benzimidazole-based metal-organic framework fillers embedded in a polymer matrix. Methods of fabricating the porous membrane via steps including solvent casting and coagulating are described. Methods of separating gases using the porous membrane are also provided.

A method of making a metal organic framework (MOF)-polymer composite material includes forming a homogeneous solution comprising a solvent, a metal salt, a polymer which is soluble in the solvent, and a reactant which can be synthesized to provide an organic linker during formation of a MOF structure, synthesizing the homogeneous solution to crystallize a MOF structure in the homogenous solution to yield the MOF structure distributed in a remainder solution, applying an antisolvent to the remainder solution with the MOF structure distributed in the remainder solution to form a polymer-rich phase, where the MOF structure is integrated into the polymer matrix during forming of the polymer matrix to produce a MOF-polymer composite material. The MOF-polymer composite material can be formed on a substrate to produce a MOF structured object, which can be a membrane, film, or other object.

Disclosed are nanocomposite membranes and methods for making and using same. In one aspect, the nanocomposite membrane comprises a film comprising a polymer matrix and nanoparticles disposed within the polymer matrix, wherein the film is substantially permeable to water and substantially impermeable to impurities. In a further aspect, the membrane can further comprise a hydrophilic layer. In a further aspect, the nanocomposite membrane comprises a film having a face, the film comprising a polymer matrix, a hydrophilic layer proximate to the face, and nanoparticles disposed within the hydrophilic layer, wherein the film is substantially permeable to water and substantially impermeable to impurities. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

A novel zeolitic imidazolate framework material comprises a partially saturated benzimidazole or a partially saturated substituted benzimidazole as a linking ligand, optionally together with unsaturated benzimidazole or an unsaturated substituted benzimidazole as a further linking ligand.

Described herein are mixed matrix filtration membranes and related, compositions, methods and systems and in particular mixed matrix filtration membranes with an embedded polymer network and/or embedded polymeric micro/nanoparticles functionalized with a functionalization polymer covalently and/or non covalently linked to the micro/nanoparticles and related compositions, methods, and systems.

A porous membrane may be manufactured with a high content of filler material and a polymer binder. After forming the membrane, the membrane may be post processed to reform the polymer binder into a stronger yet still porous membrane. The post processing may include bringing the membrane above the melt temperature of the polymer or by immersing the membrane in a solvent. Photomicrographs show that the structure may change, yet the performance of the material in batteries and other electrochemical cells may remain the same or even improve.

A microporous polymeric composition including a matrix polymer having a fractional free volume of at least 0.1 and dispersed particles having a hypercrosslinked polymer.

A method is disclosed for preventing carbon nanotube degradation in ionizable environments. The method includes immersing a porous thin-film nanotube (CNT)/polymer composite Joule heating element in an ionizable environment; and applying an alternating current at a frequency of at least 100 Hz to the porous thin-film nanotube (CNT)/polymer composite Joule heating element in the ionizable environment.