Highly porous polytriazole ion exchange membranes cast from solutions in non-toxic cosolvents

Abstract

Citation Chisca S, Torsello M, Avanzato M, Xie Y, Boi C, et al. (2017) Highly porous polytriazole ion exchange membranes cast from solutions in non-toxic cosolvents. Polymer. Available: http:// dx.Please cite this article as: Chisca S, Torsello M, Avanzato M, Xie Y, Boi C, Nunes SP, Highly porous polytriazole ion exchange membranes cast from solutions in non-toxic cosolvents, Polymer (2017), AbstractThe development of highly functionalized porous materials for protein separation is important for biotech processes. We report the preparation of highly porous polytriazole with sulfonic acid functionalization. The resulting ion exchange membranes are selective for protein adsorption. The starting material was a hydroxyl-functionalized polytriazole, which is an advantageous platform for further modification. The polymer was dissolved in a mixture of 1ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([C2mim]OAc) and dimethyl carbonate (DMC), which can be both considered green solvents. The polymer solubilization was only possible due to an interesting effect of cosolvency, which is discussed, based in phase diagrams. Membranes were prepared by solution casting, followed by immersion in a non-solvent bath. We then grafted sulfone groups on the membranes, by reacting the hydroxyl groups with 1,3-propane sultone and 1,4-butane sultone. Lysozyme adsorption was successfully evaluated. Membranes modified with 1,4-butane sultone adsorbed more protein than those with 1,3-propane sultone.

Organic solvent and thermal resistant polytriazole membranes with enhanced mechanical properties cast from solutions in non-toxic solvents

“…For example, ionic liquids were used to prepare cellulose acetate [15] and polybenzimidazole and polybenzimidazole/polyimide blend membranes [16]. Our group has reported the used of ionic liquids as a new solvent system to prepare cellulose multilayer [17] and polytriazole flat sheet membranes [18], and to prepare polyacrylonitrile, polysulfone and cellulose acetate hollow fibers [19,20].…”

Recent advances in polymer membranes employing non-toxic solvents and materials

“…114 Recently, DMC was employed as green solvent for polytriazole membranes. 115 Polytriazole cannot be dissolved in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([C2mim]OAc), a kind of ionic liquid, or DMC alone, but can be dissolved in a mixture of DMC and [C2mim]OAc. The resulting membranes were successfully prepared by optimizing the ratio of DMC and [C2mim]OAc.…”