High diffusivity dense films of a nanoporous-crystalline polymer

Abstract

Nanoporous-crystalline (NC) films of poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene)oxide (PPO) exhibit much higher guest uptakes with respect to amorphous PPO films as well as with respect to films based on different polymers. Particularly high guest diffusivities are observed for PPO films with orientation of the chain axes of their NC phases being preferentially perpendicular to the film plane (c⊥ orientation). Remarkably high diffusivities of c⊥ oriented NC PPO films are also observed for high film thickness (at least up to 50 μm). This phenomenon is due to the high free-volume of the amorphous PPO phase combined with crystalline channels being preferentially perpendicular to the film plane. Guest uptakes for NC PPO films, when expressed as mass/volume, are also much higher than for NC PPO powders and high-surface-area NC PPO aerogels, as well as much higher than for benchmark adsorbent polymers (Tenax). High guest uptakes and diffusivities of NC PPO films with c⊥ orientation are relevant for their possible applications as dense membranes for organic pollutant control, molecular separations and molecular sensors.