Equipment - Polymer Membranes
Department of the Polymeric Membranes is equipped by a series of devices used in basic and advanced characterizations of membranes and membrane materials. List of the devices is shown below. We have easy access to the most of all other equipment in our institute (see equipment of other departments):
Sorption balance IGA-100
Manufacturer: Hiden Isochema, Limited
The IGA-100 is designed for gravimetric multi-component gas sorption, as well as single component vapour sorption analysis. The multiple inlet mass flow controller system allows multi-component experiments in both pressure control and flow control modes. The IGA design integrates precise computer-control and measurement of mass change, pressure and temperature to enable fully automatic and reproducible determination of gas and vapour sorption-desorption isotherms and isobars in diverse operating conditions
The device allows to measure the sorptions in a wide range of pressures (0.1 mbar - 500 mbar - / sensitive gauge for low pressures / or 0.1 bar - 20 bar pressures gauge for high pressures). Temperature measurements can be made from -10 to 500 ° C. Dewar vessel filled with the liquid nitrogen can be also used for BET isoterms, specific area and porosity measurements.
The device allows to determine the sorption capacity, sorption coefficients, diffusion coefficients, activation energy of diffusion and sorptions, specific surface area materials (BET method ISOTERM).
Laboratory permeation apparatus with static membrane cell
The apparatus was developed by the IMC and can measure gas permeability through the polymer films (membranes) with very high accuracy. This is due to the special design of the membrane cell which isolates studied membrane by the vacuum interspace from the external environment (measurements are not influenced by any air leakage from outside environment). Aparatus can operate in the temperature range of 25-50 ° C, the injection pressures of gases can be in range range is from 500 Pa - 400 kPa (abs). Device allows to measure permeability and diffusion coefficients of the gases in polymers, from these parameters the sorption coefficient can be also calculated.
Permeation apparatus for measurement of polymers in swollen state
The apparatus has been also developed at IMC, based on previous device and it can additionally measure the permeability of gases in swollen membranes. Membrane is in the contact with tha vapour of the tested liquid (water, various organic solvents) and with tested gas all at once. Measurements can be carried out at various partial pressures of both the vapour and the tested gas. Measurement temperature range may vary from 20 ° C - 100 ° C.
Pycnomatic ATC (helium pycnometer)
Manufacturer: Thermo Scientific
Pycnomatic ATC (Automatic Temperature Control) delivers fast and accurate results for the determination of the skeletal density of solids and powders. Pycnomatic applies the volumetric gas displacement technique and features an integrated temperature control by a Peltier device for best and fastest instrument stabilization and testing speed. Pycnomatic ATC has a built in multi-volume capability to match the widest number of applications with best accuracy and repeatability.
Atomic Force Microscope: MultiMode AFM Nanoscope IIIa (model 1998)
Manufacturer: Digital Instruments
The microscope performs a range of scanning probe microscopy techniques to measure surface characteristics, including topography, elasticity, friction, adhesion, magnetic fields, electrochemical, thermal and electrical fields.
Available modes: Contact mode, Tapping mode with phase imaging, Lateral force microscop (LFM), Magnetic Force Microscopy, Force modulation.
Single column gas chromatograph
Manufacturer: Labio a.s.
This simple gas chromatograph with a thermal-conductivity sensor has been specially developed for the separation membranes. This device is designed for the analysis of multicomponent mixtures of gases (eg. H2, He, N2, O2, etc.).
Vacuum oven to 300 °C
Manufacturer: Vakuum Praha, s.r.o.
The special-order oven for drying samples under vacuum at high temperatures (up to 300 °C). An internal copper heat plate temperates samples. Use of inert gases is also an option.
Additional instruments and equipment:
Vacuum oven
Electrodialysis unit Tokuyama TS -2-10
Elektronic mass flow controlers Aalborg
Laminar flowbox
Buble flowmeter
Heat plate for solvent evaporation from cast mebranes