Composite Silicone Membranes for Solvent Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Silicone membranes used in solvent-based nanofiltration and gas separation exhibit insufficient long-term stability and high hydrophobicity, leading to swelling and accumulation of substances, resulting in reduced retention capacity and selectivity, particularly in hexane-containing systems.
Innovation Solution
The development of silicone composite membranes with laterally modified silicone acrylates, produced by curing a mixture of different silicone acrylates, which reduces swelling and hydrophobicity, enhancing retention capacity and stability by incorporating hydrophilic components and adjusting the silicon content, thereby improving separation efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If silicone membranes are used in solvent-based nanofiltration, then solvent resistance is improved, but long-term stability deteriorates due to swelling in hexane-containing systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining silicone polymer with crosslinking agents to create a crosslinked silicone membrane structure. This composite approach maintains the solvent resistance of silicone while adding structural stability through crosslinks that prevent excessive swelling in hexane-containing systems, thereby resolving the contradiction between solvent resistance and long-term stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by modifying the silicone membrane's chemical structure through crosslinking degree control and compositional adjustments. By changing the crosslinking density and silicone composition parameters, the membrane achieves optimized balance between maintaining solvent resistance and preventing swelling-induced instability in hexane systems.
2Productivity
If silicone membranes are used for gas separation, then permeability is improved, but selectivity deteriorates due to lower selectivity compared to other polymers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically adjusting the silicone membrane's composition, crosslinking density, and pore structure parameters. These parameter modifications enable fine-tuning of the membrane's separation characteristics, allowing simultaneous optimization of both permeability and selectivity for specific gas separation applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs local quality by creating regions with different crosslinking densities and compositional characteristics within the membrane structure. This localized variation in properties allows different parts of the membrane to optimize for either permeability or selectivity depending on the specific application requirements.
3Reliability
If silicone membranes are used in hexane-containing systems, then solvent resistance is improved, but accumulation of substances on membrane surface increases due to high hydrophobicity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the surface energy and hydrophobicity parameters of the silicone membrane through crosslinking and compositional adjustments. These parameter modifications reduce the membrane's tendency to accumulate hydrophobic substances while maintaining its solvent resistance in hexane-containing systems.
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
These membranes achieve a retention rate of at least 95% of components with molecular masses below 800 g/mol, significantly reducing swelling and maintaining separation properties over time, while increasing hydrophilicity and selectivity, effectively addressing the limitations of prior silicone membranes.
Implementation Method 1
produced by curing a mixture of different silicone acrylates
Implementation Method 2
The silicone coatings are additionally crosslinked by irradiation
Implementation Method 3
pressure-driven separation process based on membranes, which separates molecules dissolved in organic solvents on the molecular level
Implementation Method 4
separates molecules dissolved in organic solvents on the molecular level
Implementation Method 5
The swelling of the separation layer in solvent-containing systems is said to be reduced thereby
Data Source
AI summary
Composite membrane having a separating membrane layer characterized in that a separating membrane layer is produced by curing laterally modified silicone acrylates of the general Formula I