The present invention relates to a membrane (M) comprising an amorphous polymer (P) comprising repeat units of the formulas (RU1), (RU2) and (RU3). Moreover, the present invention relates to a process for the preparation of said membrane (M) and a filtration process, wherein a liquid permeates said membrane (M).

The present invention relates to a membrane (M) comprising an amorphous polymer (P) comprising repeat units of the formulas (RU1), (RU2) and (RU3). Moreover, the present invention relates to a process for the preparation of said membrane (M) and a filtration process, wherein a liquid permeates said membrane (M).

This disclosure relates to CO.sub.2-philic crosslinked polyethylene glycol membranes useful for natural gas purification processes. Also provided are methods of using the membranes to remove CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2S from natural gas.

This disclosure relates to CO.sub.2-philic crosslinked polyethylene glycol membranes useful for natural gas purification processes. Also provided are methods of using the membranes to remove CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2S from natural gas.

An ion exchange membrane is provided which includes an ion exchange polymer that is partially cross-linked. The partially cross-linked ion exchange polymer will be more stable and will not be washed out over time. The ion exchange polymer may be UV or chemically cross-linked, wherein a cross-linking compound is added to the ion exchange polymer either before or after coupling to a support material. A support material may be made of, or be coated with, a cross-linking compound and the support material may initiate cross-linking proximal to the support material. The support material may be made of a material that chemically bonds with the ionomer.

An ion exchange membrane is provided which includes an ion exchange polymer that is partially cross-linked. The partially cross-linked ion exchange polymer will be more stable and will not be washed out over time. The ion exchange polymer may be UV or chemically cross-linked, wherein a cross-linking compound is added to the ion exchange polymer either before or after coupling to a support material. A support material may be made of, or be coated with, a cross-linking compound and the support material may initiate cross-linking proximal to the support material. The support material may be made of a material that chemically bonds with the ionomer.

A method for in situ production of antimicrobial filtration membranes that uses self-assembly of surfactants such as block copolymers as a template. The mesophase structure (for example hexagonal or lamellar) can be determined, and membrane pore size can be controlled in the nanometer range, by changing the block copolymer and the amounts of the components such as the block copolymer, aqueous solution, monomer, crosslinker, and initiator. The monomer phase cures in the template and there is no need for organic solvents and coagulation bath or other post-modification. As-synthesized membranes were found to have pore sizes with a narrow size distribution in the range of 3-4 nm with a molecular weight cutoff of 1500 g/mol and displayed both excellent fouling resistance and high permeance of water, vastly outperforming a conventional NIPS UF membrane. The monomer can comprise a quaternary ammonium group so that the membrane is antibacterial. The block copolymer can comprise hydrophilic blocks which form the surfaces of the membrane pores, rendering them hydrophilic.

A method for in situ production of antimicrobial filtration membranes that uses self-assembly of surfactants such as block copolymers as a template. The mesophase structure (for example hexagonal or lamellar) can be determined, and membrane pore size can be controlled in the nanometer range, by changing the block copolymer and the amounts of the components such as the block copolymer, aqueous solution, monomer, crosslinker, and initiator. The monomer phase cures in the template and there is no need for organic solvents and coagulation bath or other post-modification. As-synthesized membranes were found to have pore sizes with a narrow size distribution in the range of 3-4 nm with a molecular weight cutoff of 1500 g/mol and displayed both excellent fouling resistance and high permeance of water, vastly outperforming a conventional NIPS UF membrane. The monomer can comprise a quaternary ammonium group so that the membrane is antibacterial. The block copolymer can comprise hydrophilic blocks which form the surfaces of the membrane pores, rendering them hydrophilic.

Methods of fabricating a porous membrane are disclosed. The first method includes the following operations. A mesoporous silica thin film with perpendicular mesopore channels is grown on a polymer film. The mesoporous silica thin film and the polymer film are transferred onto a macroporous substrate, in which the polymer film is positioned between the macroporous substrate and the mesoporous silica thin film. The polymer film is removed to form the porous membrane. The second method includes the following operations. A polymer film is formed on a macroporous substrate, wherein the polymer film includes crosslinked polymers including cross-linked polystyrene, cross-linked polymethyl methacrylate, or a combination thereof. A mesoporous silica thin film with perpendicular mesopore channels is grown on the polymer film. The polymer film is removed to form the porous membrane.

The invention pertains to a purification method for a biological fluid comprising at least a filtration step through a membrane obtained from a sulfone polymer [polymer (PSI)] derived from bio-based feed-stocks. In particular the PSI polymer comprises more than 50% moles recurring units (R.sub.PSI) comprising sugar moieties selected from the group consisting of those of formulae (E′-1) to (E′-3):

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The invention further relates to polymer solutions and polymer membranes comprising at least one polymer (PSI) and that are free from pore-forming agents.