A filtration membrane that includes a porous substrate layer and an active layer arranged over at least a part of the substrate layer. The active layer comprises a metal-organic framework (MOF). Also disclosed are methods for of producing a filtration membrane and uses of the filtration membrane for water treatment.

Embodiments of the present disclosure describe polymer blend membranes comprising a layer including a polymer blend of regenerated cellulose and polydimethylsiloxane and a support in contact with the layer. Embodiments of the present disclosure describe methods of preparing a polymer blend membrane comprising contacting a cellulose precursor and a PDMS precursor in a solvent to form a polymer blend solution, depositing the polymer blend solution on a surface of a suitable support, curing the PDMS precursor of the polymer blend solution to form PDMS, and converting the cellulose precursor to cellulose to form a polymer blend membrane including cellulose and PDMS. Embodiments of the present disclosure describe methods of separating chemical species by one or more of organic solvent nanofiltration and pervaporation.

Photocurable compositions and methods of preparation and use of such compositions. More particularly, photocurable compositions useful for forming topographical features on surfaces such as membrane surfaces. Methods of forming topographical features on a membrane surface using photocurable compositions.

The present invention provides a gel having an interpenetrating network formed from a first network structure and a second network structure, the first network structure being composed of a first crosslinked polymer formed from at least one noncrosslinkable compound selected from the group consisting of a compound represented by the following formula (I) and a compound represented by the following formula (II), and at least one crosslinkable compound selected from the group consisting of a compound represented by the following formula (III) and a compound represented by the following formula (IV), and the second network structure being composed of a second crosslinked polymer having at least one selected from the group consisting of an acidic dissociative group, an acidic dissociative group in a salt form, and a derivative group of an acidic dissociative group:

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wherein the groups are as defined in the DESCRIPTION.

Described is a polyethylene membrane and in particular an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene member that provides a high air permeability and is hydrophobic. The membranes have small pores and are suitable for sterilization by exposure to gamma radiation. The membranes can be made by methods that involve one or more of stretching the membrane and grafting hydrophobic monomers onto the membrane surface. A perfluorinated monomer, such as perfluoro-n-octyl acrylate, can be grafted to one or more surfaces of the membrane. The membrane have a high flow rate compared to unstretched or ungrafted membranes.

A separation membrane for selectively separating (e.g., pervaporating) a first fluid (e.g., a first liquid) from a mixture comprising the first fluid (e.g., first liquid) and a second fluid (e.g., second liquid), wherein the separation membrane includes a polymeric ionomer that has a highly fluorinated backbone and recurring pendant groups according to the following formula (Formula I): OR.sub.f[SO.sub.2N.sup.(Z.sup.+)SO.sub.2R].sub.m[SO.sub.2].sub.n-Q wherein: R.sub.f is a perfluorinated organic linking group; R is an organic linking group; Z.sup.+ is H.sup.+, a monovalent cation, or a multivalent cation; Q is H, F, NH, O-2 Y+, or C.sub.xF.sub.2x+1; Y.sup.+ is H.sup.+, a monovalent cation, or a multivalent cation; x=1 to 4; m=0 to 6; and n=0 or 1; with the proviso that at least one of m or n must be non-zero.

Isoporous block copolymers of cross-linked structures, and methods of preparing, which are resistant to harsh solvent conditions from organic, acidic or basic materials are disclosed.

The present invention relates to synthetic membranes and use of these synthetic membranes for isolation of volatile organic compounds and purification of water. The synthetic membrane includes a hydrophobic polymer layer located on a polymeric membrane support layer. The invention includes a method of isolating volatile organic compounds with the synthetic membrane by contacting a volatile organic mixture with the hydrophobic polymer layer of the synthetic membrane and removing volatile organic compounds from the polymeric membrane support layer of the synthetic membrane by a process of pervaporation. The invention also includes a method of purifying water with the synthetic membrane by contacting an ionic solution with the hydrophobic polymer layer of the synthetic membrane and removing water from the polymeric membrane support layer of the synthetic membrane by a process of reverse osmosis. The invention also relates to methods of isolating non-polar gases by gas fractionation.

Asymmetric composite membranes and methods for their preparation are disclosed. The membranes comprise a cross-linked poly(vinyl alcohol) polymer coated on a film of cross-linked sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) adhered to a sheet of hydrophilicitized microporous polyolefin. The microporous polyolefin is typically microporous poly(ethylene). The membranes have improved selectivity with the regard to the rejection of solutes in reverse osmosis and ultrafiltration applications.

Grafted, asymmetric, porous, ultra high molecular weight polyethylene membranes having a bubble point between about 5.38 bar (78 psi) and 11.03 bar (160 psi) are disclosed. Monomers are grafted to the porous polymeric membrane surfaces, the monomers having one or more of neutral groups or ion exchange groups grafted to one or more surfaces of the membrane. A combination of two photoinitiators can be used to graft the monomers to the asymmetric, porous, ultra high molecular weight membrane resulting in grafted microporous membranes that have water flow rates that are at least 50% of the water flow rate of an ungrafted, asymmetric, porous ultra high molecular weight polyethylene membrane. The grafted membrane also wets in water.