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Virginia Tech

Fabrication and characterization of poly(amide-imides)/TiO₂ nanocomposite gas separation membranes

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

Nanosized Ti0₂ rich domains were generated in-situ within poly(amide-imide) (PAl) and 6F-poly(amide-imide) (6FPAl) by a sol-gel process. The composite films showed a high optical transparency. The morphology of the Ti0₂ rich domains was observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The Ti0₂ rich domains were well dispersed within the poly(amide-imide) and 6F-poly(amide-imide) matrices and were 5 nm to 50 nm in size. Limited study was also carried out for the fabrication of the P AI/Si0₂ and PAI/fi0₂-Si0₂ composites. It was found that nanosized Si0₂ rich domains were difficult to form within the poly(amide-imide) matrix, although the Si0₂ could be bonded with the Ti0₂, forming nanosized domains within the poly(amide-imide) matrix. The PAI/Ti0₂ composites showed an increased glass transition temperature, and an increased rubbery plateau modulus, in comparison to the unfilled poly(amide-imide). Wide Angle X- ray Diffraction (W AXD) study and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) analysis suggest that the Ti0₂ filled poly( amide-imide) have a lower crystallinity as compared to the unfilled poly(amide-imide). The dynamic mechanical properties in rubbery regions suggest that Ti0₂ domains function as physical crosslinks, increasing the rubbery plateau modulus with increasing Ti0₂ content. This behavior can be explained by the theory of rubbery elasticity. The actual formation of the nanosized Ti0₂ and Ti0₂-Si0₂ rich domains was explained in terms of hydrogen bonding effects between the polymer, the solvent and the inorganic components.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Ph. D.
Level thesis:degree_level
doctoral
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Chemical Engineering
Department dc:contributor.department
Chemical Engineering
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Tech
Year dc:date.issued
1996

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Hu, Qingchun
Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
  • Marand, Eva
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Davis, Richey M.
  • Kander, Ronald G.
  • Marand, Hervé L.
  • Wilkes, Garth L.

Subjects

dc:subject × 6

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright
Language dc:language.iso
en

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
etd-10022008-063009
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/39534

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Hu, Qingchun. Fabrication and characterization of poly(amide-imides)/TiO₂ nanocomposite gas separation membranes. doctoral thesis, Virginia Tech, 1996. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/39534