title: Polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIMs): bridging the void between microporous and polymeric materials.
abstract: Novel types of microporous material are required for chemoselective adsorptions, separations and heterogeneous catalysis. This concept article describes recent research directed towards the synthesis of polymeric materials that possess microporosity that is intrinsic to their molecular structures. These polymers (PIMs) can exhibit analogous behaviour to that of conventional microporous materials, but, in addition, may be processed into convenient forms for use as membranes. The excellent performance of these membranes for gas separation and pervaporation illustrates the unique character of PIMs and suggests immediate technological applications.
authors.affiliation: School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, PO Box 912, Cardiff, CF10 3TB, UK. mckeownnb@cardiff.ac.uk
authors.forename: Neil B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: McKeown
authors.forename: Peter M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Budd
authors.forename: Kadhum J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Msayib
authors.forename: Bader S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Ghanem
authors.forename: Helen J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Kingston
authors.forename: Carin E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Tattershall
authors.forename: Saad
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Makhseed
authors.forename: Kevin J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Reynolds
authors.forename: Detlev
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fritsch