Materials for reducing acids from liquid phases
Inventors
Bara, Jason Edward • Weinman, Steven Thomas
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12129320-B2
Publication Date
2024-10-29
Expiration Date
Abstract
Imidazole-containing polymer membranes and resins are described herein. Methods of their preparation and use are also described herein. The methods of using the membranes and resins include reducing acids from liquid phases.
Core Innovation
The disclosed invention provides an imidazole monomer bearing perfluoroalkyl groups having the structure represented by Formula I, together with derivatives thereof. The imidazole monomer includes a polymerizable group R and a perfluoroalkyl substituent defined as X being CF3 or (CF2)nCF3, where n is an integer 1 to 10, and the composition may include one or more additional monomers.
The described material uses imidazole-containing polymer membranes and resin beads/particles to reduce or bind acids in liquid streams, including PFAS acids such as PFOA and PFOS. The acid-binding strength and kinetics are governed by tuning the imidazole pKa through perfluoroalkyl-substituted imidazole monomer structures corresponding to Formula I and variants, where polymer Brønsted base sites interact with acids.
The disclosure describes polymerizable compositions enabling free-radical polymerization using the polymerizable group R, including monomer types such as vinyl, styrene, acrylate, methacrylate, acrylonitrile, acrylamide, and optionally α-methylstyrene. It further describes optional additional monomers and polymer formation via homopolymers or copolymers with crosslinking, and use/regeneration concepts for maintaining acid-binding performance.
Claims Coverage
One independent claim is present (clm-00001). The claim set is centered on defining an imidazole monomer structure (Formula I) with perfluoroalkyl substituents and a polymerizable group, optionally combined with additional monomers, and includes an operation claim for preparing a polymer by polymerizing the composition. Across the dependent claims, the inventive scope is refined by specific enumerated options for the polymerizable group R and a defined set of optional additional monomers.
Imidazole monomer with perfluoroalkyl groups and polymerizable group
A composition comprising an imidazole monomer bearing perfluoroalkyl groups having the structure represented by Formula I, wherein R is a polymerizable group, X is CF3 or (CF2)nCF3 with n an integer 1 to 10, and optionally one or more additional monomers.
Vinyl/acrylate/methacrylate polymerizable group options
The composition of claim 1 wherein the substituent group R includes a vinyl, acrylate, or methacrylate group.
Enumerated polymerizable group R set (vinyl, acrylonitrile, alpha-methylvinyl, acrylamide)
The composition of claim 1 wherein R is a vinyl group, an acrylonitrile group, an alpha-methylvinyl group, or an acrylamide group.
Styrene-based polymerizable group
The composition of claim 1 wherein R is a substituted or unsubstituted styrene.
Optional additional monomers from a defined set
The composition of claim 1 further includes one or more additional monomers selected from divinylbenzene, substituted or unsubstituted styrene, acrylate, methacrylate, and methylmethacrylate.
Polymer preparation by polymerizing the composition
A method for preparing a polymer by polymerizing a composition defined in claim 1.
Overall, the claims cover a perfluoroalkyl-substituted imidazole monomer (Formula I) with a polymerizable group R that is explicitly limited to enumerated polymerizable options, optionally combined with additional comonomers from a defined set, with further coverage of preparing a polymer by polymerizing that composition.
Stated Advantages
Reduces or binds acids in liquid streams, including PFAS acids such as PFOA and PFOS.
Acid-binding strength and kinetics are governed by imidazole pKa tuned via perfluoroalkyl-substituted imidazole monomer structures.
Supports acid neutralization/binding via polymer Brønsted base sites.
Includes use/regeneration concepts for maintaining acid-binding performance.
Documented Applications
Reducing or binding PFAS acids, including PFOA and PFOS, in liquid streams using imidazole-containing polymer membranes and resin beads/particles.
Separation via sequential resins and associated neutralization/binding concepts for acid species including PFAS examples and mineral acids.
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