Chapter six - Polymers of intrinsic microporosity and their applicability in pilot-scale membrane units

Abstract

In recent years, membrane technologies pressure swing adsorption and cryogenic distillation have developed into independent processes that compete with pressure swing adsorption and cryogenic distillation for the market share of gas separation. It is of the utmost importance to create new, long-lasting, high-performance materials to meet the requirements of new membrane applications in demanding and severe environments (e.g., petrochemicals). Because of their highly permeable characteristics, polymers with intrinsic microporosity, also known as PIMs, are being explored as potential next-generation membrane materials for gas separation. This overview aims to provide a full understanding of these materials and express their nature, beginning with their chemistry and moving on to their uses. PIM-based gas separation membranes can be broken down into three primary categories: those built of simple PIMs, those made of polymer composite PIMs, and those constructed of mixed matrix PIMs.