The incorporation of guest fillers into polymer phases to prepare mixed-matrix membranes has recently been explored as a potential approach to overcome the permeability-selectivity trade-off behavior of polymer membranes. However, a number of challenges associated with membrane fabrication still exist, including the random orientational dispersion of filler materials without optimal pore channel alignment, serious particle aggregation with poor interfacial morphologies, and significant reductions in mechanical stability. Here, we demonstrate that the coupling of hollow carbon spheres (HCSs) with a triblock copolymer is a promising strategy to address these issues. The isotropic spherical carbon shells contain abundant micropores, many of which can be intrinsically aligned along the direction of gas transport. Furthermore, the hydrophobic surfaces of the HCSs facilitate their stable and uniform dispersion in the polymer phase, creating a defect-free interfacial morphology. The unique structure of the triblock copolymer is the key to accommodating a high loading of fillers without a significant loss of mechanical strength.<br/>

Membrane gas separation accelerated by hollow nanospheres

253rd National Meeting (2017)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.