High molecular weight poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) and process therefor
View Patent ↗A poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) having a high molecular weight and a reduced content of low molecular weight species can be prepared by a method that includes specific conditions for the oxidative polymerization, chelation, and isolation steps. The poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) is particularly useful for the fabrication of fluid separation membranes.
1. A poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) solid having
a number average molecular weight of 20,000 to 40,000 atomic mass units,
a weight average molecular weight of 150,000 to 400,000 atomic mass units, and
10 to 30 weight percent of molecules having a molecular weight less than 30,000 atomic mass units.
2. The poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) solid of claim 1 , having a copper concentration less than or equal to 5 parts per million by weight.
3. The poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) solid of claim 1 , having
a number average molecular weight of 20,000 to 35,000 atomic mass units,
16 to 20 weight percent of molecules having a molecular weight less than 30,000 atomic mass units, and
a copper concentration of 0.5 to 5 parts per million by weight.
4. A fiber comprising the poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) solid of claim 1 .
5. An article comprising the poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) solid of claim 1 .
6. The article of claim 5 , wherein the article is an asymmetric hollow fiber membrane.