A poly(phenylene ether) can be prepared by a method that includes reacting 2,6-dimethylphenol in the presence of toluene, oxygen, copper ion, bromide ion, and N,N-di-tert-butylethylenediamine to form a poly(phenylene ether). The mole ratio of 2,6-dimethylphenol to copper ion is 160:1 to 300:1, the mole ratio of N,N-di-tert-butylethylenediamine to copper ion is 1.5:1 to 3:1, and the mole ratio of atomic oxygen to 2,6-dimethylphenol is 0.9:1 to 1.5:1. The process can produce poly(phenylene ether) having a high molecular weight and a high incorporated amine content.

Membranes having a permselective active layer of a copolymerized perfluorinated monomer and an non-fluorinated alkylvinylester monomer demonstrate superior selective permeability performance for separating gas mixtures compared to membranes of exclusively perfluorinated polymers. Preferred active layer compositions are copolymers of perfluoro-2,2-dimethyl-1,3 dioxole (PDD) copolymerized with an alkylvinyl ester such as vinyl acetate, and vinyl pivalate, and with alkylvinyl esters that are substantially hydrolyzed to provide copolymerized vinyl alcohol functionality. The membranes can have a thin, high diffusion rate, gutter layer of a fluorinated polymer highly permeable to nitrogen positioned between the active layer and a porous support layer. A novel copolymer effective in selectively permeable membranes is a copolymer of PDD and an alkylvinyl ester compound having the formula H.sub.2CCHOC(O)R.sup.1 in which R.sup.1 is a linear or branched alkyl group of from 2 to 5 carbon atoms.

Membranes having a permselective active layer of a copolymerized perfluorinated monomer and an non-fluorinated alkylvinylester monomer demonstrate superior selective permeability performance for separating gas mixtures compared to membranes of exclusively perfluorinated polymers. Preferred active layer compositions are copolymers of perfluoro-2,2-dimethyl-1,3 dioxole (PDD) copolymerized with an alkylvinyl ester such as vinyl acetate, and vinyl pivalate, and with alkylvinyl esters that are substantially hydrolyzed to provide copolymerized vinyl alcohol functionality. The membranes can have a thin, high diffusion rate, gutter layer of a fluorinated polymer highly permeable to nitrogen positioned between the active layer and a porous support layer. A novel copolymer effective in selectively permeable membranes is a copolymer of PDD and an alkylvinyl ester compound having the formula H.sub.2CCHOC(O)R.sup.1 in which R.sup.1 is a linear or branched alkyl group of from 2 to 5 carbon atoms.

The present invention provides an intrinsically anti-microbial hollow fiber membrane for filtration of liquids. The membrane comprises a plurality of porous hollow bilayer membrane fibers wherein the liquid enters from outside of the fiber, passing through the porous membrane into the lumen of the fiber and coming out from the hollow ending of the fiber, wherein this configuration provides a liquid outside-in arrangement and retains the filtrate outside. It means that membrane of the invention has built in characteristics to act against microbes in order to provide the use with a safe liquid free from microbes. The outer side or outer wall of the hollow fibers may be configured to become hydrophobic whereas inner side or inner wall of the hollow fiber membrane may be configured to become hydrophilic to enhance the water permeability to a great extent. The hollow fiber membrane may be configured to give it an intrinsic anti-microbial capability. A device containing above said membrane has also been disclosed.

The present invention provides an intrinsically anti-microbial hollow fiber membrane for filtration of liquids. The membrane comprises a plurality of porous hollow bilayer membrane fibers wherein the liquid enters from outside of the fiber, passing through the porous membrane into the lumen of the fiber and coming out from the hollow ending of the fiber, wherein this configuration provides a liquid outside-in arrangement and retains the filtrate outside. It means that membrane of the invention has built in characteristics to act against microbes in order to provide the use with a safe liquid free from microbes. The outer side or outer wall of the hollow fibers may be configured to become hydrophobic whereas inner side or inner wall of the hollow fiber membrane may be configured to become hydrophilic to enhance the water permeability to a great extent. The hollow fiber membrane may be configured to give it an intrinsic anti-microbial capability. A device containing above said membrane has also been disclosed.

A method for producing an asymmetric porous membrane includes: forming a first casting film from a casting solution on a carrier, the casting solution containing a hydrophobic polymer, a hydrophilic polymer, a water-soluble polymer, and a solvent; placing the first casting film in an environment containing water vapor to contact the first casting layer with the water vapor, thereby obtaining a second casting film, the environment having a temperature ranging from 20 C. to 33 C. and a relative humidity of 30% to 80%; and contacting the second casting film with a coagulating agent so as to perform a wet-phase inversion. The hydrophilic polymer is polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyalkylene glycol, or a combination thereof. The water-soluble polymer is a copolymer of vinylpyrrolidone and vinyl acetate, a copolymer of vinylpyrrolidone and alkylene glycol, a vinyl alcohol-based polymer, an ethylene glycol/propylene glycol based copolymer, an ethyleneimine-based polymer, a water-soluble cellulose, or combinations thereof.

M(SiF.sub.6)(pyz).sub.3 (M=Cu, Zn, Co, or Ni) has a pore size between a size of H.sub.2 and a size of CO.sub.2, and thus exhibits prominent screening performance for H.sub.2/CO.sub.2. A strong interaction between Cu(SiF.sub.6)(bpy).sub.2 and a CO.sub.2 molecule can hinder the transport of the CO.sub.2 molecule. The above two MOFs both can achieve the H.sub.2/CO.sub.2 separation. By preparing a dense MSiF.sub.6/polymer layer, MSiF.sub.6 is uniformly dispersed in the polymer and is fixed, and subsequently, MSiF.sub.6 is converted into M(SiF.sub.6)(pyz).sub.3 or Cu(SiF.sub.6)(bpy).sub.2 by interacting with an organic ligand. Through vapor-induced in-situ conversion, MOF particles can be well dispersed without interface defects between the MOF particles and the polymer. Even at a doping amount of 80%, the mechanical flexibility and stability of the MMM can still be retained.

A process for the efficient transfer of molecules between phases employing mesoporous poly (aryl ether ketone) hollow fiber membranes is provided. The method addresses the controlled transfer of reactants into and removal of reaction products from a reaction media and the removal and separation of target molecules from process streams by membrane-assisted liquid-liquid extraction. A number of possible modes of liquid-liquid extraction are possible according to the invention by utilizing porous poly (aryl ether ketone) hollow fiber membranes of Janus-like structure that exhibit a combination of hydrophilic and hydrophobic surface characteristics. The method of the present invention can address the continuous manufacture of chemicals in membrane reactors and is useful for a broad range of separation applications, including separation and recovery of active pharmaceutical ingredients.

A process for the efficient transfer of molecules between phases employing mesoporous poly (aryl ether ketone) hollow fiber membranes is provided. The method addresses the controlled transfer of reactants into and removal of reaction products from a reaction media and the removal and separation of target molecules from process streams by membrane-assisted liquid-liquid extraction. A number of possible modes of liquid-liquid extraction are possible according to the invention by utilizing porous poly (aryl ether ketone) hollow fiber membranes of Janus-like structure that exhibit a combination of hydrophilic and hydrophobic surface characteristics. The method of the present invention can address the continuous manufacture of chemicals in membrane reactors and is useful for a broad range of separation applications, including separation and recovery of active pharmaceutical ingredients.

A method of separating gas and a method of making a gas separation membrane. The method of separating gas includes flowing a gas stream through a membrane, in which the membrane comprises a crosslinked mixture of a poly(ether-b-amide) copolymer and an acrylate-terminated poly(ethylene glycol) according to formula (I) or formula (II); and separating the gas stream via the membrane.

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In formulas (I) and (II), each n is of from 2 to 30; and each R is independently H or CH.sub.3.