Selectively permeable film supported membrane

• US 20070026217A1
• Filed: 08/26/2004
• Published: 02/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University of Cincinnati
• Original Assignee: University of Cincinnati
• Inventors: Cuppoletti, John
• Granted Patent: US 7,829,185 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 428/304.400
• CPC Class Codes: A62D 5/00 Composition of materials for coverings or clothing affording protection against harmful chemical agents
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 69/02 characterised by their properties
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 69/10 Supported membranes; Membrane supports
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 69/122 Separate manufacturing of ultra-thin membranes
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 69/141 Heterogeneous membranes, e.g. containing dispersed material; Mixed matrix membranes
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 71/74 Natural macromolecular material or derivatives thereof B01D71/08, B01D71/24 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/40 Semi-permeable membranes or partitions
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2300/0094 in the form of layered products, e.g. coatings
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0289 Means for holding the electrolyte solid polymer electrolytes H01M8/1018
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/1023 having only carbon, e.g. polyarylenes, polystyrenes or polybutadiene-styrenes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/1039 halogenated, e.g. sulfonated polyvinylidene fluorides
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/1053 consisting of layers of polymers with at least one layer being ionically conductive
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/249953 Composite having voids in a component [e.g., porous, cellular, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31504 Composite [nonstructural laminate]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31544 Addition polymer is perhalogenated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31855 Of addition polymer from unsaturated monomers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31938 Polymer of monoethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon

Abstract

A selectively permeable film supported membrane comprises a selectively permeable film comprising at least one ionomer; a bilayer formed on the film; and at least one transport substance incorporated into the bilayer. Methods for forming a selectively permeable film supported membrane comprise the steps of forming a bilayer on a selectively permeable film comprising at least one ionomer and incorporating at least one transport substance into the bilayer. Fuel cells, toxins detectors and protective devices comprise a selectively permeable film supported membrane.

Claims

1. A selectively permeable film supported membrane comprising:

a selectively permeable film comprising at least one ionomer;

a. a bilayer formed on the film; and

b. at least one transport substance incorporated into the bilayer.

2. The membrane according to claim 1, wherein the selectively permeable film comprises:

porous material;

perfluorinated polymer;

base polymer grafted with terminally sulphonated or carboxylated radicals, wherein the base polymer comprises substituted or unsubstituted polyolefin;

substituted or unsubstituted vinyl polymer, or a copolymer thereof;

or combinations thereof.

3. The membrane according to claim 1, wherein the bilayer comprises biological lipid, synthetic lipid, or combinations thereof.

4. The membrane according to claim 1, wherein the selectively permeable film contains a positive charge.

5. The membrane according to claim 1, wherein the selectively permeable film contains a negative charge.

6. The membrane according to claim 1, wherein the selectively permeable film contains a mixture of positive and negative charges.

7. The membrane according to claim 1, wherein the transport substance is in a lipid vesicle, detergent solution or combinations thereof.

8. The membrane according to claim 1, wherein the transport substance comprises native protein, recombinant protein, or combinations thereof.

9. The membrane according to claim 1, wherein the transport substance maintains transport function.

10. The membrane according to claim 1, wherein the membrane has an increased resistance to the flow of ions or molecules as compared to the film alone.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the step of forming a bilayer on a selectively permeable film comprises the steps of:

a. forming a lipid monolayer;

b. contacting a selectively permeable film with the lipid monolayer a first time; and

c. contacting the selectively permeable film with the lipid monolayer a second time, thereby forming a bilayer on the selectively permeable film.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the lipid monolayer is formed in an aqueous solution of a Languor-Budget device.

11. A method for forming a selectively permeable film supported membrane, comprising the steps of:

a. forming a bilayer on a selectively permeable film comprising at least one ionomer; and

b. incorporating at least one transport substance into the bilayer.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein the selectively permeable film comprises:

porous material;

perfluorinated polymer;

base polymer grafted with terminally sulphonated or carboxylated radicals, wherein the base polymer comprises substituted or unsubstituted polyolefin;

substituted or unsubstituted vinyl polymer, or a copolymer thereof;

or combinations thereof.

15. The method according to claim 11, wherein the bilayer comprises biological lipid, synthetic lipid, or combinations thereof.

16. The method according to claim 11, wherein the selectively permeable film contains a positive charge.

17. The method according to claim 11, wherein the selectively permeable film contains a negative charge.

18. The method according to claim 11, wherein the selectively permeable film contains a mixture of positive and negative charges.

19. The method according to claim 11, wherein the transport substance is in a lipid vesicle, detergent solution or combinations thereof.

20. The method according to claim 11, wherein the transport substance comprises native protein, recombinant protein, or combinations thereof.

21. The method according to claim 11, wherein the transport substance maintains transport function.

22. The method according to claim 11, wherein the membrane has an increased resistance to the flow of ions or molecules as compared to the film alone.

23. A fuel cell, comprising:

a. a selectively permeable film comprising at least one ionomer;

b. a bilayer formed on the film; and

c. at least one transport substance incorporated into the bilayer,

wherein the transport substance is capable of generating an electrochemical gradient of protons.

24. The fuel cell according to claim 23, wherein the electrochemical gradient of protons is continuous.

25. The fuel cell according to claim 24, wherein the electrochemical gradient of protons is produced at ambient temperatures.

26. A toxin detector, comprising:

a. a selectively permeable film supported membrane; and

b. means to facilitate detection of a toxin in or near the membrane.

27. The toxin detector according to claim 26, wherein the selectively permeable film supported membrane comprises:

a. a selectively permeable film comprising at least one ionomer;

b. a bilayer formed on the film; and

c. at least one transport substance incorporated into the bilayer,

wherein the transport substance is capable of transporting the toxin.

28. A protective device against toxins, comprising:

a. a selectively permeable film supported membrane; and

b. a material to be protected,

wherein the membrane is capable of generating an acid gradient, and wherein the coating protects against diffusion of toxins that are not degraded.

29. The device according to claim 28, wherein the selectively permeable film supported membrane comprises:

a. a selectively permeable film comprising at least one ionomer;

b. a bilayer formed on the film; and

c. at least one transport substance incorporated into the bilayer.

30. The device according to claim 28, wherein the material to be protected comprises a fabric, synthetic material, or combinations thereof.

31. The device according to claim 28, wherein the device further comprises at least one catalyst facilitating transport.

32. The device according to claim 28, wherein the protective device detoxifies toxins.