| abstract |
The present invention relates to polymer / polymer mixed matrix membranes and the use of such membranes in gas separation applications. More particularly, the present invention relates to the preparation of a polymer / polymer mixed matrix membrane incorporating a soluble polymer having inherent microporosity as a microporous filler. These polymer fillers with inherent microporosity are conventional microporosity, such as large accessible surface area, interconnected micropores of size less than 2 nm, and high chemical and thermal stability It exhibits behavior similar to that of the material, but additionally has the properties of conventional polymers, such as good solubility and processability. Gas separation experiments on these mixed matrix membranes show dramatically improved gas separation performance for CO2 removal from natural gas. Mixed matrix membranes prepared according to the present invention can also be used in the separation of the following combinations of gases: hydrogen / methane, carbon dioxide / nitrogen, methane / nitrogen, and olefins / paraffins such as propylene / propane. |