Prof. Peter M. Budd will give the next EMS webinar scheduled for monday June 9 at 3 pm CET (i.e. 2 pm British Summer Time) on the EMS Youtube Channel.

Biography:

Peter Budd is a Professor of Polymer Chemistry at the University of Manchester. He studied at Manchester for his BSc in Chemistry (1978) and his PhD in Polymer Chemistry (1981). After eight years as a research chemist at the BP Research Centre, Sunbury-on-Thames, he returned to Manchester as a Lecturer in 1989. His research involves the development of novel polymers for a variety of applications, including membranes for molecular separations. He is a co-inventor of the class of polymers referred to as Polymers of Intrinsic Microporosity (PIMs).

Webinar Title: 21 Years of PIMs

Abstract:

The first publications on solution-processible polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIMs) appeared in 2004.^1,2 Since then, there has been considerable research on this class of polymers for gas separation membranes and other applications. The development of PIMs will be outlined and recent progress discussed.

Membrane applications of PIMs have been constrained by concerns about the effects of physical ageing and plasticization. One way to improve long-term membrane performance is through the addition of fillers.^3,4 However, poor compatibility between filler and polymer can be an issue. Insight into the effects of interfacial defects may be obtained through computer modelling.⁵

Chemical modification can be used to tailor PIM performance for bespoke applications. The origin of high CO₂ selectivity in amine-PIM-1 has been explored.⁶

A key development is the recognition that, depending on the polymerization conditions, a PIM sample may contain a variety of polymer topologies, including branched, cyclic and network structures. The distribution of polymer topologies can have a profound impact on membrane performance and long-term behaviour.⁷

Recently the focus of much research has shifted to commercially realistic thin-film composite (TFC) membranes,^8,9 rather than thick films. TFC membranes have been prepared in hollow-fibre form,¹⁰ as well as flat-sheet form.

Membrane processes have a key role to play in a sustainable future, as they can be compact and energy-efficient compared to conventional separation processes. However, there is scope for improving the sustainability of the materials that are used. Greener solvents are being explored for PIM synthesis.¹¹

While much research on PIMs has focused on gas separations, a wide range of applications are being investigated, including for fuel cells.¹²

References

1. P.M. Budd, B.S. Ghanem, S. Makhseed, N.B. McKeown, K.J. Msayib and C.E. Tattershall, Polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIMs): robust, solution-processable, organic nanoporous materials, Chem. Commun., 2004, 230-231.
2. P.M. Budd, E.S. Elabas, B.S. Ghanem, S. Makhseed, N.B. McKeown, K.J. Msayib, C.E. Tattershall and D. Wang, Solution-processed, organophilic membrane derived from a polymer of intrinsic microporosity, Adv. Mater., 2004, 16, 456-459.
3. M. Alshurafa, A.B. Foster, S. Aloraini, M. Yu, B. Qiu, P. Gorgojo, M.P. Attfield and P.M. Budd, Mixed matrix and thin-film nanocomposite membranes of PIM-1 and hydrolysed PIM-1 with Ni- and Co-MOF-74 nanoparticles for CO₂ separation: Comparison of blending, grafting and crosslinking fabrication methods, J. Membr. Sci. 2025, 713, 123388.
4. M. Pérez-Miana, J.M. Luque-Alled, Á. Mayoral, I. Martínez-Visus, A.B. Foster, P.M. Budd and J. Coronas, Amphiphilic zeolitic imidazolate framework for improved CO2 separation in PIM-1 mixed matrix membranes, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 2025 DOI: /10.1002/anie.202420879.
5. 5. Ghasemi, L. Sarkisov, P.M. Budd and M. Babaei, Advanced insights into the role of interfacial defect morphology in mixed matrix membrane gas transport, J. Membr. Sci., 2025, 723, 123883.
6. C. Rizzuto, F. Nardelli, M. Monteleone, L. Calucci, C.G. Bezzu, M. Carta, E. Tocci, E. Esposito, G. De Luca, B. Comesaña-Gándara, N.B. McKeown, B. Sayginer, P.M. Budd, J.C. Jansen and A. Fuoco, Unravelling the origin of enhanced CO₂ selectivity in amine-PIM-1 during mixed gas permeation, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2025 DOI: 10.1039/D4TA08839E
7. A.B. Foster, M Yu, M. Alshurafa and P.M. Budd, Impact of Polymer Topology on Physical Aging of Thin Film Composite Membranes Based on PIM-1, cPIM-1, and Associated Blends, Macromolecules, 2025, 58, 4289-4299.
8. M. Yu, A.B. Foster, S.E. Kentish, C.A. Scholes and P.M. Budd, Recent Progress in Thin Film Composite Membranes based on the Polymer of Intrinsic Microporosity PIM-1: Preparation, Properties and Performance, J. Membr. Sci., 2025, 722, 123844.
9. B. Qiu, M. Yu, M. Alshurafa, P. López-Porfiri, M. Perez-Page, A.B. Foster, P.M. Budd, X. Fan and P. Gorgojo, GO as gutter layer in superglassy thin film composite membranes for enhanced gas separation, J. Membr. Sci., 2025 DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2025.124245
10. S.V. Gutiérrez-Hernández, F. Pardo, A.B. Foster, P.M.Budd, G. Zarca and A. Urtiaga, Gas separation performance of branched PIM-1 thin-film composite hollow fiber membranes, Sep. Purif. Technol., 2025, 363, 132254.
11. A. Ayyaz, A.B. Foster, L. Cseri, G. Szekely and P.M. Budd, Greener Synthesis of the Polymer of Intrinsic Microporosity PIM-1 for Gas Separation, ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng., 2025, 13, 2784-2792.
12. X. Yang, Z. Feng,  M. Alshurafa,  M. Yu,  A.B. Foster,  H. Zhai,  T. Yuan,  Y. Xiao,  C. D’Agostino,  L. Ai,  Ma. Perez-Page,  K. Smith,  F. Foglia,  A. Lovett,  T.S. Miller,  J. Chen,  P.M. Budd and  S.M. Holmes, Durable Proton Exchange Membrane Based on Polymers of Intrinsic Microporosity for Fuel Cells, Adv. Mater., 2025, 37, 2419534.