Microporous polyimine membranes for efficient separation of liquid hydrocarbon mixtures
Name
2025_TL_Science.pdf
Description
Accepted version
Size
1.26 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
6eede20a122cd28f5851f458d0068de3
Author(s)
Lee, Tae Hoon
Balcik, Marcel
Ali, Zain
Joo, Taigyu
Rivera, Matthew P
Pinnau, Ingo
Smith, Zachary P
Date Issued
May 22, 2025
Journal
Science
Publisher
American Association for the Advancement of Science
Citation
Tae Hoon Lee et al. , Microporous polyimine membranes for efficient separation of liquid hydrocarbon mixtures. Science388,839-844(2025).
Version
Final published version
Abstract
Interfacial polymerization has been an industrial standard for preparing desalination membranes. Extending the same concept to molecular separation of organic solvents would be a key enabler for the decarbonization of the chemical and petrochemical industries through energy-efficient crude or biocrude oil fractionation. Here, we report a molecular engineering approach based on acid-catalyzed interfacial polymerization for efficient hydrocarbon separation. The design strategies include (i) changing the linkage from amide to imine and (ii) subsequent introduction of shape-persistent units such as triptycene and spirobifluorene. The prepared polyimine membranes exhibit ultrahigh microporosity and enhanced swelling and plasticization resistance compared with conventional polyamide counterparts. These membranes, which feature fast and selective transport of hydrocarbons, including multicomponent and industrially relevant mixtures, outperform commercial and state-of-the-art benchmark membranes.
Terms of Use
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
Persistent DSpace Link
DOI of Published Version
https://doi.org/10.1126/science.adv6886
