Biobased Polyarylene Ether Copolymer Membranes for Water Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current polyarylene ether sulfones and ketones derived from biobased diols lack high molecular weight and hydrophilicity, making them unsuitable for membranes with good separation properties and high permeability, particularly for use in contact with water or food production, and existing manufacturing processes are inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A polyarylene ether copolymer comprising blocks of isosorbide, isomannide, or isoidide with dichlorodiaryl sulfone or ketone units and polyalkylene oxide, designed to achieve high molecular weight and hydrophilicity, along with a process for their efficient production, enabling the creation of membranes with improved separation properties and permeability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If polyarylene ether sulfones and ketones are derived from biobased diols, then environmental sustainability is improved, but molecular weight and hydrophilicity are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a copolymer combining polyarylene ether sulfone/ketone blocks with polyalkylene oxide blocks. The polyalkylene oxide component introduces hydrophilicity and enables higher molecular weight while the polyarylene ether sulfone/ketone blocks maintain the biobased sustainability advantage, thus resolving the contradiction between environmental sustainability and molecular weight/hydrophilicity
2Adaptability or versatility
If polyarylene ether sulfones and ketones are derived from biobased diols, then environmental sustainability is improved, but hydrophilicity is insufficient for membrane applications
Solution Approach 1:
The copolymer structure integrates hydrophilic polyalkylene oxide blocks with biobased polyarylene ether sulfone/ketone blocks. This composite approach enables the membrane to achieve sufficient hydrophilicity for water and body fluid contact applications while maintaining the environmental sustainability benefits of biobased derivation
3Productivity
If existing manufacturing processes are used, then production is maintained, but reaction time and efficiency are unacceptable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies manufacturing parameters including using specific catalyst systems (metal halides, organometallic compounds), controlling reaction temperature (60-150°C), and optimizing monomer ratios to achieve high molecular weight copolymers within industrially acceptable reaction times of 1-24 hours, thus improving productivity while reducing time loss
Data Source
AI summary
A polyarylene ether copolymer comprising i) at least one block comprising in polymerized form A) isosorbide, isomannide, isoidide or a mixture thereof and B) at least one unit comprising at least one difunctional compound comprising at least one dichlorodiaryl sulfone, a dichlorodiaryl ketone or a mixture thereof and ii) at least one block comprising in polymerized form C) at least one polyalkylene oxide, a process for its preparation and its use in the preparation of coatings, films, fibers, foams, membranes or molded articles.