(68a) Comparison of Thin Versus Thick Glassy Polymer Films for Membrane Applications

Gas permeation properties of thick laboratory films have long been used as a guide to the performance of asymmetric membranes with a very thin selective skin (~ 100 nm). However, much research has shown that very thin films of glassy polymers undergo more rapid physical aging than such thick films, leading to different permeation characteristics. This presentation will summarize recent results from collaborations with the National University of Singapore.   The focus will be on 1) a first effort to explore comparisons of mixed gas permeation, where one component is CO₂, in thin films versus thick films made of Matrimid and 2) how film thickness affects the thermal rearrangement (TR) process of an ortho-functional polymide (6FDA-HAB) and its subsequent gas permeation characteristics.