title: Bionic multisilicon copolymers used as novel cross-linking agents for preparing anion exchange hybrid membranes.
abstract: Bionic multisilicon copolymers have long-main chains and many branched chains, and contain multifunctional groups of -N(+)(CH(3))(3)Cl(-) and -Si(OCH(3))(3), which are similar to the stem, branch, fruit, and acetabula of a vine from bionic aspect, respectively. They have high flexibility, charge density, and cross-linking ability and thus can be used as novel cross-linking agents for preparing anion-exchange hybrid membranes. High content of -Si(OCH(3))(3) groups (68-78%) is suitable to enhance membrane stabilities. The membranes are stable in 65 °C water up to 120 h and can keep integrity in 2 mol/L NaOH for 192 h. High content of -N(+)(CH(3))(3)Cl(-) groups (42-55%) is suitable to enhance membrane electrical properties. The membranes have low membrane resistance (R(m), 0.59-0.94 Ω cm(2)) and high diffusion dialysis performance. The acid (H(+)) dialysis coefficients (U(H)) are in the range of 0.007-0.075 m h(-1) at room temperature and 0.015-0.115 m h(-1) at 40 °C. The separation factor (S(H/Fe)) can reach up to 43 at room temerature and 49 at 40 °C. All of the membranes are highly homogeneous, mechanically stable (21-31 MPa, 25-147%), and thermally stable (227-275 °C for halide form membranes, and 157-172 °C for OH(-) form membranes). Hence, the investigation of multisilicon copolymers will give rise to a new developing field in material and membrane sciences.
authors.affiliation: CAS Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, PR China.
authors.forename: Yonghui
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Jingyi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: Cuiming
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Tongwen
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Yanxun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fu