Sulfonated Poly Aryl Ether Membrane Blend for Flux and Salt Rejection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Poly(aryl ether) membranes exhibit lower flux and salt rejection performance compared to commercial polyamide membranes, particularly in nano-filtration and reverse osmosis applications, necessitating an improvement in these aspects.
Innovation Solution
A membrane blend comprising a sulfonated poly(aryl ether) and a phenyl amine compound is developed, which includes specific poly(aryl ether) species and phenyl amine compounds, with a preferred reaction product formed through a chemical association, enhancing flux and salt rejection capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If poly(aryl ether) membranes are used, then oxidative resistance is improved, but flux and salt rejection performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite membrane system by blending sulfonated poly(aryl ether) with phenyl amine compounds. This composite approach combines the oxidative resistance of the poly(aryl ether) backbone with the enhanced separation properties introduced by the phenyl amine adducts, achieving both reliability and productivity improvements simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the poly(aryl ether) membrane through sulfonation and subsequent phenyl amine compound addition. These parameter changes (introducing sulfonic acid groups and phenyl amine structures) transform the membrane's physical and chemical properties, enabling improved flux and salt rejection while maintaining oxidative resistance
2Stability of the object's composition
If poly(aryl ether) membranes are used, then stability is improved, but salt rejection performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By forming a composite blend of sulfonated poly(aryl ether) and phenyl amine compounds, the patent introduces specific molecular structures that enhance salt rejection capability while the stable poly(aryl ether) matrix maintains overall composition stability
Solution Approach 2:
The phenyl amine compounds are incorporated into specific regions of the membrane matrix, creating local zones with enhanced salt rejection properties. This local quality enhancement allows the bulk material to maintain its stable composition while specific regions provide improved separation performance
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 membrane blend demonstrates improved flux and salt rejection performance, particularly in reverse osmosis and nano-filtration applications, with enhanced rejection of salts and organic molecules, addressing the performance gap of poly(aryl ether) membranes.
Implementation Method 1
a preferred reaction product formed through a chemical association
Data Source
AI summary
A membrane comprising a blend of a sulfonated poly(aryl ether) and a phenyl amine compound along with methods for making and using the same. Many additional embodiments are described including applications for such membranes.