SWITCHABLE MATERIALS, METHODS AND USES THEREOF

• Main Authors: Mariampillai Brian Ernest, Boniface Kyle J, Robert Tobias, Mercer Sean M, Resendes Rui, Cunningham Michael F, Jessop Philip G, Clark Timothy James
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 25.08.2016
• Subjects: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOIDCHEMISTRY; CHEMISTRY; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON; INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIRCHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES; MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS OBTAINED BY REACTIONS ONLY INVOLVINGCARBON-TO-CARBON UNSATURATED BONDS; MEASURING; METALLURGY; ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL; PHYSICS; SEPARATION; TESTING; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS; TRANSPORTING

The present application provides a composite material that comprises a solid and solid-supported non-polymeric switchable moiety, wherein the switchable moiety comprises a functional group that is switchable between a first form and a second form, said first form being neutral and hydrophobic, and said second form being ionized and hydrophilic. The composite material converts to, or is maintained in, said second form when the switchable moiety is exposed to CO2 at amounts sufficient to maintain the ionized form. The composite material converts to, or is maintained in, said first form when CO2 is removed or reduced to an amount insufficient to maintain the ionized form. CO2 is removed or reduced by exposing the composite material to heat and/or a flushing inert gas such as N2, Ar, or air. Envisioned uses of these composite materials includes removing water from non-aqueous solvents, removing water vapour from gaseous mixtures, and cleaning industrial reaction vessels and/or pipelines.