The perfluoropolymer upper bound
Author(s)
Wu, Albert; Drayton, James A.; Smith, Zachary P
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Perfluoropolymers have fundamentally distinct thermodynamic partitioning properties compared to those of their hydrocarbon counterparts. However, current upper bound theory assumes hydrocarbon solubility behavior for all polymers. Herein, the fundamental presupposition of invariance in solubility behavior to upper bound performance is critically assessed for perfluoropolymers and hydrocarbon polymers. By modifying solubility relationships, theoretical perfluoropolymer upper bounds are established, showing a positive shift of the upper bound front as a result of beneficial solubility selectivities for certain gas pairs, including N₂/CH₄, He/H₂, He/N₂, He/CH₄, and He/CO₂. Within the framework of the solution–diffusion model, an analysis is presented to compare two independent approaches often pursued in efforts to surpass the polymer upper bound: (a) achieving solubility selectivity via perfluoropolymers and (b) improving diffusion selectivity via rigid hydrocarbon polymers. This analysis demonstrates the significant benefit that can be achieved by considering both the chemical composition and morphology of solid‐state macromolecules when designing membrane materials. Keywords: activated diffusion theory; membrane‐based separations; perfluorocarbon; solubility
Date issued
2019-06Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Chemical EngineeringJournal
AIChE Journal
Publisher
Wiley
Citation
Wu, Albert X. et al. "The perfluoropolymer upper bound." AIChE Journal 65, 12 (June 2019): e16700 © 2019 American Institute of Chemical Engineers
Version: Author's final manuscript
ISSN
0001-1541
1547-5905