Biosourced Furan Diol Aromatic Polyethers for Membrane Filtration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The chemical industry seeks to develop high-performance, biosourced aromatic polyethers for applications like membrane production, which require high molecular masses, hydrophilicity, and selectivity, but existing polymers often rely on fossil-based materials and lack the desired properties for efficient filtration and gas/liquid separation.
Innovation Solution
Aromatic polyethers are synthesized using a biosourced furan diol, tetrahydrofurandimethanol, and a dihalo aromatic compound, with a process involving reaction in the presence of a base and organic solvent, allowing control of molecular mass and hydrophilicity for enhanced filtration and permeability properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If aromatic polyethers are synthesized using fossil-based aromatic diols (bisphenol A or 4,4'-dihydroxyphenyl), then high molecular mass and excellent thermal stability are achieved, but reliance on non-renewable resources increases and environmental sustainability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameter by replacing fossil-based aromatic diols with biosourced furan diol (tetrahydrofurandimethanol), maintaining the polyether backbone structure while substituting the aromatic ring source. This parameter change achieves sustainability improvement while preserving thermal stability through careful selection of the biosourced diol structure that mimics the functional properties of traditional aromatic diols
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite polymer structure combining biosourced furan diol units with traditional dihalo aromatic compounds (such as dichlorodiphenyl sulfone). This composite approach integrates renewable carbon sources with proven high-performance aromatic building blocks, achieving a balance between sustainability and thermal stability requirements for membrane applications
2Quantity of substance
If traditional polyether sulfones are synthesized from bisphenol A and dichlorodiphenyl sulfone, then high molecular mass suitable for membrane formation is obtained, but hydrophilicity and rapid wetting properties are insufficient for efficient filtration
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality modification by introducing polar oxygen-containing functional groups from the furan diol structure at specific locations within the polymer chain. These localized polar groups enhance hydrophilicity and water uptake without compromising the overall high molecular mass and structural integrity needed for membrane formation. The furan ring's oxygen atoms create localized hydrophilic zones that improve wetting rates
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameter by incorporating tetrahydrofurandimethanol units that contain oxygen in the ring structure, increasing the polymer's polarity and hydrophilicity. This parameter change modifies the polymer's interaction with water, enabling rapid wetting and high flow rates while maintaining sufficient molecular mass for membrane applications
3Adaptability or versatility
If statistical copolymers containing isosorbide and bisphenol A are synthesized, then biosourced content increases, but control over sequence distribution and precise composition becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies segmentation by treating the furan diol-containing polymer as a distinct segment or block within the copolymer structure. By defining specific repeating units containing the furan diol moiety separated by traditional aromatic units, the invention creates a segmented architecture that facilitates controlled composition and predictable sequence distribution, improving manufacturing precision while maintaining high biosourced content
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the compositional parameter by using a single primary biosourced monomer (tetrahydrofurandimethanol) rather than mixing multiple biosourced diols. This parameter simplification enables precise control over the fraction of biosourced units in the polymer chain, achieving reproducible composition and sequence distribution while maintaining high renewable content
4Productivity
If membranes are produced requiring rapid wetting and high flow rates, then filtration efficiency improves, but polymer hydrophilicity must be increased which may compromise thermal stability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality enhancement by concentrating hydrophilic oxygen-containing groups from the furan diol units at specific locations within the polymer chain. These localized polar regions provide rapid wetting and high flow rates for filtration applications, while the overall polymer matrix maintains thermal stability through the presence of thermally robust aromatic segments and crosslinkable functional groups
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The resulting polymers exhibit rapid wetting and high flow rates, improved hydrophilicity, and selectivity, making them suitable for efficient membrane production and gas separation, while reducing reliance on fossil materials.
Implementation Method 1
these polymers may also, advantageously, be highly hydrophilic: in the case of a membrane, said membrane will thus get wet rapidly, which will result in rapid filtration with high flow rates
Implementation Method 2
rapid wetting and high flow rates
Implementation Method 3
These features are, for example, high number-average molecular masses (Mn) which are required for obtaining film-forming properties. These polymers may also, advantageously, be highly hydrophilic: in the case of a membrane, said membrane will thus get wet rapidly, which will result in rapid filtration with high flow rates and yields. Finally, these polymers may also demonstrate permeability properties, and notably selectivity properties toward certain gases and/or liquids
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a polymer of the aromatic polyether type, containing a biosourced furan diol, to a method for producing said polymer, and to the use of said polymer for producing membranes.