Novel Polymers of Intrinsic Microporosity for heterogeneous catalysis and gas separations applications

Recently, a new class of PIMs based on Tröger's base (TB) was introduced; this combines the benefits of the high porosity, which is typical of PIMs, with the presence of two bridgehead tertiary amines that proved to be efficient basic catalytic sites for a variety of important applications. Membrane technology is a rapid advancing method aimed to substitute or improve current gas separation techniques implemented in power plants, for instance aiming at the removal of CO2 (CCS), or the separation of CO2/H2, O2/N2 and H2/N2. Mixed Matrix Membranes (MMMs) are a new class of materials prepared by the dispersion of an insoluble component (filler) into a soluble organic polymer (matrix), and combine the benefits derived by the processability of the organic support and the separation properties of the fillers.The aim of the project is to create a series of novel polymers to be used for catalysis and as fillers for MMMs.

The project perfectly aligns with the EPSRC themes Advanced Materials, Catalysis and Organic synthesis.