Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.

Gulf South Research Institute

John W McTopy, Ii

James K Smith

Stephen C Lynch

Pushpinder S Puri

Asymmetric polyacetylene polymer membranes having both improved selectivity and improved flux are provided by a process which comprises forming a solution containing from about 1 to about 5% by weight of a polyacetylene polymer in any suitable solvent therefor, forming the solution into a thin film and quenching the film in an aqueous bath in the presence of from about 0.002 to about 0.4% by weight of the quench bath of surfactant with an HLB value of 11 to 15. Additionally, the polyacetylene polymer solution contains a swelling agent at about 1% to about 10% by weight of polyacetylene polymer solution.

Asymmetric permselective polyacetylene membranes and process for the

Anisotropic gas separation membranes are treated to alter the microporosity of their thin, dense layer or composite coating--the layer or coating which provides selectivity in separations employing such membranes. The treatment increases the selectivity of a membrane with minimal decrease in its flux. The process comprises applying a polar activator to the membrane followed by exposing the membrane to microwave frequency radiation for a period of time sufficient to compact the thin layer of the membrane. The polar activator may be incorporated in the membrane during fabrication or applied as an after-treatment.

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LaPlace, LA, United States of America

John W McTopy, Ii