Aryl-nitration of poly(phenylene oxide) and polysulfone. Structural characterization and gas permeability

Abstract The gas permeability and permselectivity of unmodified and aryl nitrated poly(phenylene oxide) and polysulfone are reported for CO 2 , CH 4 , O 2 and N 2 . Aryl nitration decreases the permeability for all the gases, but increases the permselectivity of both polymers for either O 2 /N 2 or CO 2 /CH 4 gas pair. These results are related to changes in packing density, torsional mobility and interchain attractions due to the polar nitro group.