Hydrocarbon solubility, permeability, and competitive sorption effects in polymer of intrinsic microporosity (PIM-1) membranes

Abstract

The sorption and permeation of pentane, hexane, and toluene through highly permeable polymer of intrinsic microporosity (PIM-1) membranes were investigated. It was established that the hydrocarbons sorbed strongly within the micro-void regions of the PIM-1 membrane. The sorption concentration was similar for the paraffins, pentane and hexane, but greater for aromatic toluene at high vapor activities. The magnitude of the hydrocarbon permeability was associated with the critical temperature of the hydrocarbon. The PIM-1 membrane displayed selectivity for the three hydrocarbons over CO2. As a consequence, the presence of the three hydrocarbons dramatically reduced the permeability of CO2 and N..