Preparation of hybrid materials containing copolyimides covalently linked with carbon nanotubes

The key to a successful advance of membrane separation process in industrial application is the availability of suitable membrane materials. Separation tasks such as the removal of sulfur containing aromatics from fuels, amongst others, issue a challenge to researchers to develop highly selective and permeable membrane materials which also show sufficient resistance towards the feed components as well as towards the operation conditions. The preparation of hybrid materials is an opportunity to achieve such suitable membrane materials. In this work the preparation of homogeneous hybrid membranes from copolyimides covalently linked with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was investigated. Hydroxyl-functionalized CNTs were obtained in a two step reaction and characterized. Different procedures to prepare homogenous hybrid films by ultrasound dispersion were investigated and appropriate instructions were found. Sorption capacity tests showed that the covalent incorporation of hydroxyl-functionalized CNTs does not affect the solution selectivity of the copolyimide.

Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights▶ Synthesis and characterization of functional copolyimides ▶ Covalently linked functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes ▶ Membrane preparation with homogeneous distribution of carbon nanotubes.