# US 5,710,187 A · Highly cross-linked nanoporous polymers

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- Number: US 5,710,187 A
- Document ID: US5710187A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/564,891
- Filed: 1995-11-29
- Granted: 1998-01-20
- Earliest claimed: 1995-05-22
- Assignees: The Regents of the University of California
- Inventors: Warren P. Steckle, Jr.; Paul G. Apen; Michael A. Mitchell
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5710187A

## CPC

- C08J 9/28: by elimination of a liquid phase from a macromolecular composition or article, e.g. drying of coagulum
- B01D 67/003: {by selective elimination of components, e.g. by leaching}
- B01D 71/281: {Polystyrene}
- B01D 71/72: Macromolecular compounds obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds, not provided for in a single one of the groups B01D71/46 - B01D71/70 {and B01D71/701 - B01D71/702}
- C08F 212/04: containing one ring
- C08J 11/08: using selective solvents for polymer components
- B01D 2323/225: Use of supercritical fluids
- B01D 2323/30: Cross-linking
- C08J 2201/0504: the liquid phase being aqueous
- C08J 2325/00: Characterised by the use of homopolymers or copolymers of compounds having one or more unsaturated aliphatic radicals, each having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond, and at least one being terminated by an aromatic carbocyclic ring; Derivatives of such polymers
- C08J 2325/06: Polystyrene
- Y02P 20/54: using solvents, e.g. supercritical solvents or ionic liquids
- Y02W 30/62: Plastics recycling; Rubber recycling
- C08J: WORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H (working, e.g. shaping, of plastics B29)
- B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28)
- C08F: MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS OBTAINED BY REACTIONS ONLY INVOLVING CARBON-TO-CARBON UNSATURATED BONDS
- Y02P: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
- Y02W: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO WASTEWATER TREATMENT OR WASTE MANAGEMENT

## Abstract

Condensation polymerization followed by a supercritical extraction step can be used to obtain highly cross-linked nanoporous polymers with high surface area, controlled pore sizes and rigid structural integrity. The invention polymers are useful for applications requiring separation membranes.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A cross-linked nanoporous polymer prepared by a process comprising:
(a) combining under polymerization conditions at least one aromatic monomer and a cross-linking agent chosen from the group of multifunctional acyl halides and benzylic halides;
(b) allowing polymerization to occur until a copolymer gel is formed;
(c) removing catalysts and unreacted monomers from said copolymer gel;
(d) adding liquid carbon dioxide to said copolymer gel; and
(e) removing said liquid carbon dioxide under supercritical conditions.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A cross-linked nanoporous polymer as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one aromatic monomer is one chosen from the group of benzene, biphenyl, diphenylmethane, 1,3,5-triphenylbenzene, m-terphenyl, bibenzyl, pyrene, napthalene, anthracene, triphenylene, tetraphenylmethane, triptycene; and macromonomers based on 2,6-dimethylphenylene oxide, styrene; methylphenyl siloxane; and mixtures of styrene with polymerizable alkenes; carborane and metallocenes; and said at least one cross-linking agent is one chosen from the group of ortho-, meta- and para-dichloroxylene, and chloromethylstyrene, 4,4'-dichloromethyl-biphenyl and terephathaloyl chloride.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

A cross-linked nanoporous polymer as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one aromatic monomer is one chosen from the group of styrene, bibenzyl, biphenyl, diphenylmethane, triphenylbenzene, diphenylmethane and benzene.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

A cross-linked nanoporous polymer as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one aromatic monomer is styrene.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

A cross-linked nanoporous polymer as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one cross-linking agent is dichloroxylene.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

A cross-linked nanoporous thermosetting polymer as recited in claim 1 suitable for use as a separations membrane.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

A cross-linked nanoporous polymer as recited in claim 1 suitable for use as a separations membrane.