Abstract In this study, novel nanocomposite membranes were fabricated from single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) and a triptycene-containing polyimide. The desirable interfacial morphology and homogenous dispersion of SWNTs were achieved by strong π-π stacking and supramolecular shape-fitting interactions between the nanotube and the paddlewheel-shaped triptycene moieties in polymer matrix. Mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs) containing 2–15 wt% of as-purchased SWNTs (AP-SWNTs) were prepared and tested for their gas transport properties. While all MMMs showed greatly enhanced permeabilities with well-maintained selectivities, a non-linear dependence of permeability on filler content was observed. Another series of MMMs with purified SWNTs (P-SWNTs) and acid-treated SWNT (A-SWNTs) were also prepared. The functionalized A-SWNT MMM exhibited the best separation performance at 2 wt% filler content among all MMMs, which can be attributed to the improved interfacial affinity with carboxylic acid functionalized surface of A-SWNTs.

中文翻译：

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基于碳纳米管的混合基质膜具有超分子工程界面，可提高气体分离性能

摘要 在这项研究中，新型纳米复合膜是由单壁碳纳米管 (SWNT) 和含三苯乙烯的聚酰亚胺制成的。SWNT 的理想界面形态和均匀分散是通过纳米管和聚合物基质中的桨轮形三苯乙烯部分之间的强 π-π 堆叠和超分子形状拟合相互作用实现的。制备了含有 2-15 wt% 购买的 SWNTs (AP-SWNTs) 的混合基质膜 (MMMs) 并测试了它们的气体传输性能。虽然所有 MMM 都显示出极大增强的渗透性和保持良好的选择性，但观察到渗透性对填料含量的非线性依赖性。还制备了另一系列具有纯化单壁碳纳米管 (P-SWNT) 和酸处理单壁碳纳米管 (A-SWNT) 的 MMM。