Gas permeation properties of poly(sulfone-co-ethylene glycol) membranes containing bis(phenyl)fluorene moieties

Abstract

Copolymers based on glassy and rubbery units have been developed to take advantages of both domains to enhance solubility and diffusivity. Well-tuned microstructure in copolymers has provided high gas permeability and selectivity. In this study, we report on the syntheses and characterizations of copolymers using poly(ethylene glycol) and high free volume polysulfone. Bulky and flexible bis (phenyl)fluorene moiety is introduced in polysulfone domain. Comparison between conventional bisphenol-A based polysulfone and the polysulfone in this work is made in terms of fractional free volume and gas permeation properties. In the poly(sulfone-co-ethylene glycol), the composition of sulfone/ethylene glycol results in the improvement of thermal and physical properties. Copolymers are characterized using gel permeation chromatography, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, wide angle X-ray diffraction, and gas permeation measurements. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.