Effect of Porous Nanoconstraints on Ptmsp Membrane Performance

The development of large polymer membranes with sub micron thickness is a significant challenge. Here, porous anodisc membranes, with extremely high permeability, are used to support thin reverse selective Poly(trimethylsilyl propyne) (PTMSP) films. The permeance of the PTMSP is characterized by a series resistance model, eliminating variance in the support membranes. Supports with 20 nm, 100 nm, and 200 nm diameter pores are investigated. By using dilute polymer concentrations, it is also possible for the polymer to impregnate the pores of the anodisc, providing a permeability enhancing interfacial confinement effect similar to that seen with particle nanocomposites, but without selectivity reducing agglomeration.