SEM, TEM, and AFM Analyses of Phase-Separated Polymer Blend Membranes for Gas Separations

Polymer blends are proving to be important in emerging technologies including as gas separation membranes [1]. The blending of existing polymers offers the distinct advantage of being able to develop new materials with potentially synergistic properties not attainable with the individual polymer components and without the need to synthesize new macromolecules [2]. We recently developed phaseseparated polymer blends for gas separation comprised of polybenzimidazole (PBI) and 6FDA-DAMDABA (6FDD) (Figure 1). In this system, PBI facilitates the separation of gas pairs and 6FDD enhances gas flux. Of critical importance is the blend interface, which determines the membrane’s gas transport, mechanical, and adhesion properties [3]. Herein, we report the results of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) analyses of a PBI:6FDD (50:50) blend microstructure.