Electropolymerization of robust conjugated microporous polymer membranes for rapid solvent transport and narrow molecular sieving

Zongyao Zhou, Xiang Li, Dong Guo, Digambar B. Shinde, Dongwei Lu, Long Chen, Xiaowei Liu, Li Cao, Ammar M. Aboalsaud, Yunxia Hu and Zhiping Lai ()
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Zongyao Zhou: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
Xiang Li: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
Dong Guo: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
Digambar B. Shinde: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
Dongwei Lu: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
Long Chen: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
Xiaowei Liu: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
Li Cao: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
Ammar M. Aboalsaud: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
Yunxia Hu: Tiangong University
Zhiping Lai: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)

Nature Communications, 2020, vol. 11, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract Pore size uniformity is one of the most critical parameters in determining membrane separation performance. Recently, a novel type of conjugated microporous polymers (CMPs) has shown uniform pore size and high porosity. However, their brittle nature has prevented them from preparing robust membranes. Inspired by the skin-core architecture of spider silk that offers both high strength and high ductility, herein we report an electropolymerization process to prepare a CMP membrane from a rigid carbazole monomer, 2,2’,7,7’-tetra(carbazol-9-yl)-9,9’-spirobifluorene, inside a robust carbon nanotube scaffold. The obtained membranes showed superior mechanical strength and ductility, high surface area, and uniform pore size of approximately 1 nm. The superfast solvent transport and excellent molecular sieving well surpass the performance of most reported polymer membranes. Our method makes it possible to use rigid CMPs membranes in pressure-driven membrane processes, providing potential applications for this important category of polymer materials.

Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-19182-1

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