It is highly desirable to integrate the CO2 solubility benefits of Ionic Liquids (ILs) in polymeric membrane systems for effective CO2 separations. Herein, we are exclusively exploring a series of four novel imidazolium-functionalized Tröger's base-based ionene polymers ([Im-TB(x)-R][Tf2N]) for enhanced CO2 separation. The two diimidazole-functionalized Tröger’s base monomers synthesized from ‘ortho’ and ‘para’ substituted imidazole anilines were polymerized with p-dichlorxylene and 1,10-dibromodecane via Menshutkin reactions to obtain four respective ionene-polymers ([Im-TB(o&p)-Xy][Cl] and ([Im-TB(o&p)-C10][Br], respectively). The resulting ionene-polymers having halide anions were exchanged by Tf2N anions, yielding a novel Tröger's base material [Im-TB(x)-R][Tf2N] for advanced gas separations. The permeabilities and selectivities to gases (CO2, CH4, N2, O2, H2 and He) were obtained using the high vacuum time-lag measurement unit. In addition, all the newly developed TB-ionene-polymer membranes exhibited excellent thermal and mechanical properties, suggesting the applicability of this Tröger's base material for the practical gas separation applications. We also investigated the structures and properties of this series with ILs composites as well as the gas separation properties of the corresponding polymer membranes.

Imidazolium-functionalized Tröger's base-based ionene polymers with extraordinary membrane promises for enhanced CO2 separation

2019 Spring National Meeting

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