Gas separation properties of a thermally stable and chemically resistant polytriazole membrane

The polymer poly (1,3-phenyl-1,4-phenyl)-4-phenyl-1,3,4-triazole has been investigated for its gas separation properties. This thermally stable and chemically resistant polymer can be processed into membranes by the phase-inversion technique because of its unexpectedly good solubility in formic acid. Homogeneous membranes have been tested with respect to their permeability for several gases, and the influence of time and temperature upon permeation has been investigated. The polymer shows reasonable permeabilities for several gases and excellent selectivities. After a conditioning time of several days in which the permeability of the faster-moving gases increases by a factor of about 2, the permeation properties of the polymer remain constant for at least two months. A thermal treatment at 295°C, just above the glass transition temperature, can reduce the conditioning time and can prevent the film from shrinkage at high permeation temperatures without affecting the permeation properties.