Preparation and application of hyperbranched polymer-modified polyethersulfone membrane containing Ni–Pd–Sn-coated MWCNT for catalytic aryl halide coupling reactions

Abstract

In this research, the preparation, application and optimization of catalytic membrane based on nickel–palladium–tin-coated carbon nanotubes/polyethersulfone-hyperbranched polyol (Ni–Pd–Sn@MWCNT/PES-HBAPO) were assessed. The nickel nanoparticles were coated on the carbon nanotubes by an electroless plating method. Later, Ni–Pd–Sn@MWCNT was mixed with the polyethersulfone modified with hyperbranched polymer, and membrane samples were prepared by a phase inversion process. For improvement of the membrane properties including thermal and chemical stability, an aromatic hyperbranched polymer was synthesized and was utilized in the membrane blend. For evaluation of the properties of the resultant membranes, FE-SEM, SEM-Mapping, TEM, FTIR, ICP-OES, DSC and 1H NMR tests were used. The catalytic activity of the obtained membranes in Ullmann-type coupling reaction was studied. High reaction yields were obtained with no significant catalyst leaching.