The invention relates to a method for the separation of isocyanate monomers from isocyanate-containing mixtures by the provision of the mixture in a solvent and dialysis of the dissolved mixture against the solvent by means of a permeable membrane having a pore size in the range of between 5 and 400 nm. The method may in particular be employed for the separation of isocyanate monomers from prepolymers containing isocyanate groups, with said prepolymers being used for the production of adhesives, insulating, and expanding foams.

The invention relates to a method for the separation of isocyanate monomers from isocyanate-containing mixtures by the provision of the mixture in a solvent and dialysis of the dissolved mixture against the solvent by means of a permeable membrane having a pore size in the range of between 5 and 400 nm. The method may in particular be employed for the separation of isocyanate monomers from prepolymers containing isocyanate groups, with said prepolymers being used for the production of adhesives, insulating, and expanding foams.

An electrospun polymer nanofibrous membrane that provides high filtering efficiency and excellent porosity is disclosed herein. The membrane may be treated with one or more antimicrobial or antiviral agents. The treatment may preferably be a coating of one or more antiviral agents on the surface of the membrane. Alternatively, one or more antiviral agents may be impregnated into the membrane. The membrane may additionally or alternatively be impregnated with one or more metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). The membrane has a high filtering efficiency and sufficient porosity to provide breathability characteristics. In some embodiments, the membrane is suitable for use in making facemasks and respirators that are highly resistant to infectious pathogens and/or other small particulates. In some embodiments, the membrane is suitable for use in HVAC applications. In some embodiments, the membrane is suitable for use in removal of VOCs and CO.sub.2 in conjunction with a carbon nanofiber membrane.

An electrospun polymer nanofibrous membrane that provides high filtering efficiency and excellent porosity is disclosed herein. The membrane may be treated with one or more antimicrobial or antiviral agents. The treatment may preferably be a coating of one or more antiviral agents on the surface of the membrane. Alternatively, one or more antiviral agents may be impregnated into the membrane. The membrane may additionally or alternatively be impregnated with one or more metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). The membrane has a high filtering efficiency and sufficient porosity to provide breathability characteristics. In some embodiments, the membrane is suitable for use in making facemasks and respirators that are highly resistant to infectious pathogens and/or other small particulates. In some embodiments, the membrane is suitable for use in HVAC applications. In some embodiments, the membrane is suitable for use in removal of VOCs and CO.sub.2 in conjunction with a carbon nanofiber membrane.

The invention provides an implantable membrane for regulating the transport of analytes therethrough that includes a matrix including a first polymer; and a second polymer dispersed throughout the matrix, wherein the second polymer forms a network of microdomains which when hydrated are not observable using photomicroscopy at 400× magnification or less. In one aspect, the homogeneous membrane of the present invention has hydrophilic domains dispersed substantially throughout a hydrophobic matrix to provide an optimum balance between oxygen and glucose transport to an electrochemical glucose sensor.

The invention provides an implantable membrane for regulating the transport of analytes therethrough that includes a matrix including a first polymer; and a second polymer dispersed throughout the matrix, wherein the second polymer forms a network of microdomains which when hydrated are not observable using photomicroscopy at 400× magnification or less. In one aspect, the homogeneous membrane of the present invention has hydrophilic domains dispersed substantially throughout a hydrophobic matrix to provide an optimum balance between oxygen and glucose transport to an electrochemical glucose sensor.

A method of making a nanoporous structure comprising a matrix and at least one nanosized pore within the matrix, wherein the method comprises contacting at least a portion of a templated matrix with an acid solution, wherein the templated matrix comprises a matrix that selected from the group consisting of an organic polymer, a sol-based ceramic, an inorganic salt, an organoaluminate, and combinations thereof, and one or more nanosized templates within the matrix, wherein each nanosized template comprises a core that comprises an inorganic oxide, to dissolve at least a portion of the inorganic oxide of at least one of the cores and form the at least one nanosized pore within the matrix thereby forming the nanoporous structure.

A method of making a nanoporous structure comprising a matrix and at least one nanosized pore within the matrix, wherein the method comprises contacting at least a portion of a templated matrix with an acid solution, wherein the templated matrix comprises a matrix that selected from the group consisting of an organic polymer, a sol-based ceramic, an inorganic salt, an organoaluminate, and combinations thereof, and one or more nanosized templates within the matrix, wherein each nanosized template comprises a core that comprises an inorganic oxide, to dissolve at least a portion of the inorganic oxide of at least one of the cores and form the at least one nanosized pore within the matrix thereby forming the nanoporous structure.

The present invention offers a forward osmosis composite hollow fiber membrane module having hollow fiber bundles comprising a plurality of hollow fibers, the hollow fibers having a separation layer composed of a macromolecular polymer thin film provided on the inner surface of a microporous hollow fiber supporting membrane, wherein the membrane area of the hollow fiber bundle is at least 1 m.sup.2, and a variation coefficient for the average thickness of the separation layer in the radial direction and the lengthwise direction of the hollow fiber bundles, as calculated by a method of measuring the mass of the separation layer portion in a scanning electron microscope image of a cross section of the separation layer in the thickness direction, is 0% to 60%.

The disclosed technology relates to hollow fiber membranes prepared from a dope solution containing a polymer of vinyl chloride, such as chlorinated polyvinyl chloride, and a thermoplastic polyurethane.