A review of different synthetic approaches of amorphous intrinsic microporous polymers and their potential applications in membrane-based gases separation

This review provides a new perception on the role of the state of-the-art polymers of intrinsic micro porosity (PIMs) in membrane-based gas separations performance including H-2/CH4, H-2/N-2, CO2/CH4, H2S/CH4, O-2/N-2, and C2H4/C2H6 applications. Polymers of intrinsic micro porosity are novel amorphous microporous materials that have rigid backbone contorted macromolecular structure with high surface area and many other significant properties attracted the attention of researchers. In contrast to other types of porous organic polymers, PIMs are not included in the class of cross-linked covalent bonds thus they could be dissolved easily in organic solvents and transformed into robust films, fibers or coatings. Polymers of intrinsic micro porosity are considered as more effective among the inherently permeable membrane materials, along with their higher separation permeabilities and moderate selectivity that is the best fit into the Robeson upper bond model. This review brings a general overview of the preparation, separation mechanism and gas separation performances of novel polymers of intrinsic micro porosity materials that have been made in the last 16 yr along with their permeability and selectivity on the pure-gas upper bounds.