GAS-TRANSPORT PROPERTIES AND STRUCTURE OF POLY(2,6-DIMETHYL-1,4-PHENYLENE OXIDE) POLY(N-ARYLMALEIMIDE) MEMBRANES

Blend membranes containing poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (PPO ) and homopolymers of substituted N-phenylmaleimides were prepared by casting from chloroform solutions of mixtures of the polymers. The pol yimides were synthesized by the radical polymerization of dimethylamin o, chloro, and bromo derivatives of N-phenylmaleimide. The membranes w ere characterized by permeabilities to oxygen and nitrogen; the permea bility ratio O2/N2 equaled to 5.3 - 6.8. Unlike transparent PPO membra nes, the PPO/polyimide membranes were cloudy. The phase structure of t he membranes was examined by optical and scanning electron microscopy. The relation between gas transport properties and the structure of th e membranes is discussed.