Synthesis and gas transport properties of novel poly(ether ether ketone)s containing fluorene group

Two novel gas separation membranes (Phenyl(Ph)-poly(ether ether ketone)s (PEEKs) and PEEKs) based on PEEKs with a high fractional free volume were designed and synthesized. The structure and thermodynamic stability of the membranes were investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The two membranes, which were determined to be high-molecular weight polymers by gel permeation chromatography, showed good solubility in a weakly polar solvent. The gas transport properties of the Ph-PEEK membranes were investigated for different gases (CO2, O2, CH4, and N2) at 25°C and 1 atm. The Ph-PEEK-3 membrane with the largest free volume had the largest gas permeability coefficient and maintained good selectivity. The effect of operating temperature on the gas permeation of the Ph-PEEK-3 membrane was also investigated, and the maximum permeability of the four single gases was reached at 55°C and 1 atm.