Main research topics

Fig. 1: Background: Section of an integral asymmetric poly(amid imide) membrane with an introduced catalyst (bright points). Foreground: Highly branched polymer with a high number of end groups.

- Synthesis of polyethers, polyimides and polyamidimides by polycondensation

The nature of the polymers is pre-defined by the intended application and is not limited by the method of polymerization. Highly branched and soluble polyethers with a high number of functional end groups were synthesized, see for example the structure integrated in the figure 1.


- Synthesis / development of polymers with extremely high free volume , called polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIM).

There are very few polymers known to have an extremely high free volume within their molecular structure. These polymers are very interesting for membrane applications.

Fig. 2: Polyamidimide membrane showing high oil flux

- Manufacture of membranes with catalytic activity and their application in a membrane reactor.

According the polymeric nature of the membranes, particularly low reaction temperatures (<200 degrees C) are tested. Included are integral asymmetric (see Figure 1) as well as composite membranes. So far particularly hydrogenation and dimerisation reactions were investigated. The selective hydrogenation of vegetable oil with the aim of a low trans fatty acid content in the processed product was investigated within a project of EU. It included the construction and test operation of a pilot plant to process about 100 kg of sunflower oil. Figure 2 shows the cross section of a polyamidimide (PAI) membrane, that has been developed to allow a particularly high oil flow.

Fig. 3: Palladium nanoparticles on alumina in PAI membrane

In Fig. 3 the palladium nanoparticles (bright spots) within the PAI membrane are visible in high magnification, located on the alumina support (grey lumps), that is distributed within the membrane.