CA2045966A1 - Oxygen-permeable polymeric membranes - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

Oxygen-permeable polymeric membranes to be used in processes for producing oxygen- or nitrogen-enriched air for industrial, medical, and other applications are characterized by a complex comprising (a) a transition metal (II) ion, (b) a ligand comprising a meso-tris(.alpha.,.alpha.,.alpha.-o-substituted-amidophenyl)-mono-(.beta.-o-substituted amidophenyl)porphyrinato, said metal ion and porphyrin being of the formula (I)

Description

OXYGEN-PERMEABLE POLYMERIC MEMB~AN~S

BACKGROUND OF T~E INVE.NTION
This invention ~elates to oxygen-permeable polymeric membranes to be used in processes for producing oxygen- or nitrogen-enriched air for industrial, medical, and other applications. More particularly, the invention concerns polymeric membranes which contain, as dispersed therein, a metal complex capable of adsorbing and desorbing oxygen rapidly and reversibly.
Oxygen is one of the chemicals most widely used on indu~-trial scales, specifically in the manufacture of iron, steel, and other metals and glass, in chemical oxidatlon and combus-tion, and in wastewater disposal~ It has also very extensive usage in the field of medical care, lncluding the therapy for lung disease patients by means of oxygen inhalation. Nitrogen, on the other hand, is a chemical conveniently and extensively used to maintain a nitrogen atmosphere, for example, for the preservation of foods, in fermentation processes, and in electronic circuit fabrication. For these reasons the develop-ment of processes for concentrating oxygen and nitrogen out of air is an important problem with far-reaching effects on various sectors of industry. While low-temperature and adsorp-tion techniques are in use as industrial processes for atmo-spheric oxygen and nitrogen concentration, membrane separation is considerecl promisirlg from the energy-saving viewpoint.
Success of membrane separation depends primarily on the discovery of a membrane material that ~ould permit selective and efficient oxygen permeation relative to nitrogen from air.
Currently available membranes capable of perrneating and concentrating atmospheric oxygerl (known as oxygen-permeable membranes) are those of silicone, silicone polycarbonate, and the like. Some of them are in practical service. They do not have high oxygen-permeation selectivity (02/N2) value (oxygen-permeability coefficient/nitrogen-permeability coefficient), the value being approximately 2, and yet exhibit high permeability coefficient (10-3 [cm3 (S~P) cm/cm2 sec cmHg]).
With this feature the membranes are incorporated in modules, multistage processes, and other systems to obtain oxygen-enriched air, with oxygen concentrations of about 30%. In order to obtain highly oxygen-rich air useful for industrial and medical applications by a single, continuous permeable-membrane pass, it is essential that the membrane have an (02/N2) value of at least 5.
The first requisite for an enhanced selectivity (O2/N2) is to make oxygen more soluble than nitrogen with respect to the membrane.
We have hitherto continued the synthesis of metal complex-es capable of rapid, reversible adsorption and desorption of oxygen molecules. We clarified essential requirements of the metal com~)lexes that ~an adsorb and desorb oxygen molecules selectlvely, rapidly, and reversii)ly, even in a solid-phase membrane polymer. We successfully synthesized the novel complexes and taught their use for o~ygen-permeable membranes (Patent Application ~'ublic Disclosure No. 171730/19~7).
~ ighly o~ygen-rlch air is useful ~or industrial and medical applications, and large quantities of highly nitrogen-rich air are used as inert gas in many sectors of industry. If they are to be obtained continuously by a single pass through an economical membrane, it is essential that the mernbrane have a selectivity (O2/N2) value of 5 or upwards.
~ ;e have hitherto continued the synthesis of metal complex~
es capable of rapid, reversible adsorption and desorption of oxygen molecules. As a result, we successfully synthesized novel ~etal complexes that can adsorb and desorb oxygen mole-cules selectively, rapidly, and reversibly, even in a solid phase. we further found that the metal complexes carried in polyr~eric solid-phase membranes are kept from irreversible oxidation and permit stable, selective permeation of oxygen.
r.owever, polymeric membranes incorporating such complexes, when used in air permeation, did not always achieve the object satisfactorily in the region where the feed oxygen pressure was high (20 mmHg or above), although the (02/N2) value exceeded the ta-get value of 5. Thus, a further improvement in the (O2/N~) value was sought.

s`~

SUMMARY OIF TI~E INVF,N ~ION
In view of the above, we have made further intensive research for the improvem2nt in performance o the complex that can adsorb and desorb oxygen. ~e have now successfully synthe-si~ed a novel porphyrinato transition metal (II) complex, i.e., a meso-tris(~ -o-substituted-amidophenyl~-mono-(~-o-substi-tuted amidophenyl)porphyrinato cobalt (II), represented by the formula (I):

~Nro R
in which M stands for a transition metal (II). The complex, when combined with a polymeric ligand, gives a membrane with desired oxygen permeation performance. In the complex of the formula (I), the transition metal (II) is preferably cobalt (II) and substituents R's are preferably acetyl, acryl, meth-acryl, or pival. Since one of the four substituents on the porphyrin of the complex faces downward, oxygen adsorption and desorption take place very rapidly through the steric inter-stices. In a solid membrane combining this complex with a co-poly~er of an alkyl acrylate or alkyl methacrylate and a vinyl aromatic amine, the life of the complex of the formula (I) for oxygen adsorption and desorption is extended sufficiently for practical use, and the concept has led to the present invention as oxygen-permeable polymeric membranes.
The invention thus resides in the following oxygen-permeable polymeric membranes:
1. An oxygen-permeable polymeric membrane characterized by a complex comprising (a) a transition metal ~II) ion, (b) a ligand comprising a meso-tris(~ o-substituted-amidophenyl)-mono-(~-o-substituted amidophenyl)porphyrinato, said metal ion and porphyrin being of the formula (I) R
I / ,~0 O ~OH~ N

R

in which M stands for a transition metal (II), R's are a s` ~

substituent each, belng acetyl, acryl, methacryl, or pival, and (c) an aromatic amine polymer.

2. The membrane of 1 above in which said transition metal (II) comprises cobalt (II).

3. The membrane of 1 above in which said aromatic amine polymer comprises copolymers of a vinyl aromatic amine and either (a) an alkyl acrylate or (b) an alkyl methacrylate.

4. The membrane of 3 above in which said vinyl aromatic amine is either (1) vinylimidazole or (2) vinylpyridine.

5. The membrane of 3 above in which said alkyl group of the alkyl acrylate or alkyl methacrylate contains from 1 to 15 carbon atoms.

6. The membrane of 5 above in which said transition metal (II) ion comprises cobalt (II).

7. The membrane of 1 above in which said transition metal (II) and said ligand comprise from about 1 to 30 % by weight of the polymeric membrane.

8. The membrane of 6 above in which said transition metal (II) and said ligand comprise from about 1 to 30 % by weight of the polymeric membrane.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Stable, reddish brown membranes were successfully made by uniformly dispersing the newly synthesized porphyrinato transition metal complexes, especially cobalt complexes, in monomeric bases under specific conditions. The (O2/N2) values . ~J

of the memhranes exce~ded , even at ~l ~eed pressure of 15~
mmHg. They could collect oxyc3en-rich air corlcelltrated to 55%
or upwards by single-step permeatio~ o~ atmospheric air. At an oxygen feed pressure of lO mm~g the (02/N2) value was more than 10. In order that the complex permeate oxygen as efficiently in the region where the feed pressure i5 high, it is important that the rates of combination and dissociation of the complex and oxygen be great (Tsuchida: J. Japan Chem. Soc., 19~8, pp.
845-852 (1988)). The reaction for combination of oxygen with the porphyrinato complex is inrluenced by the structure of the complex and is governed by the effect of the steric substi-tuents of the porphyrin surface. I'he rate constant increases with the relaxation of the stereostructure over the rings of the porphyrin, with the result that the efficiency of oxygen permeation is improved and an increase in the (02/N2) value is made possible.
~ hus, the above findings have now led to the present in-vention. It provides novel oxygen-enriching polymeric mem-branes characterized in that a complex of a specific porphyrin structure is uniformly dispersed in a polymeric ligand.
~ he transition metal (II) ion, especially cobalt (II), forms a complex which has reversible interactions with 2 The aromatic amine functions as the axial base in the complex, "activating" the complex for reversible interactions with 0~.

~ or use in the present invention the porphyrinato transition metal comple~ is represented by the general. formula (I) in which the transi.tion metal is de,ired -to be cohalt, and the substituents P~'s are desired to be acetyl, acryl, meth-acryl, or pival. If the Rs are larger than these, the molecular weight of the compl.ex increases, reducing the amount of oxygen adsorbed or desorbed per unit weight of the complex and also lowering the rate of increase in the separability of the membrane itself. The core metal of the porphyrinato complex other than cobalt is, for example, iron, but the latter involves difficulties in preparing a membrane that retains activity. Desirable as the polymeric ligand is a copolymer (with a molecular weight of 100,000 to 300,000) of a vinyl aromatic amine and an alkyl acrylate or alkyl methacrylate in which the alkyl group contains from 1 to 15 carbon atoms, typified by poly(octyl methacrylate-co-N-vinylimidazole) or poly(octyl.- methacrylate-N-vinylpyridine). If the alkyl group contains more than 16 carbon atoms, the resulting membrane will be brittle or hard to form. Also, if a ligand of a lower molecular weight is used, the membrane life for oxygen adsorp-tion and desorption will be shortened.
The cobalt ion of the porphyrinato cobalt and the ligand residue (aromatic amine residue) that constitute a compl.ex are in a molar ratio appropriately in the range from 1:1 to 1:30.
A porphyrinato cobalt and a polymeric ligand are separate-ly d ssolved uniformly in an OrcJcilli( ;olvent such aschlo~o~orm, thoroughly deoxidized, and l~ixed up. In this case the ?orphyrinato compiex content is desirably chosen from the range of about 1 to about 30% by weight If the content is less than 1% the selectivity (O2/N2) value will be too low to obtain sufficiently oxygen-enriched air, but a content of 31%
or mo~e wil:l embri~tle the resulting membrane or hardly form a membrane. The oxygen-permeable polymeric membrane of the invention is formed by so-called solvent casting, or a process in ~-hich the mixed solution is cast over a Teflon sheet or the like in an oxygen-free atmosphere and the solvent is allowed to evaporate slowly. For the manufacture of the membrane, thor-ough oxygen removal from the solution in advance is advisable.
The thickness of the oxygen-permeable membrane according to t;-_ invention is not specially limited but is usually chosen fror .he range of about 1 to about lOO ~m. The membrane of the inve..tion permits oxygen permeation with a high selectivity, at the (C,/N2) value of 10 or upwards. For example, air at an oxyg_-. concentration of 70% or more can be obtained by single-stag_ concentration. The measurements of gas permeation thrcu~h the oxygen-permeable membranes may be made using an ordin2-y gas permeability measuring instrument conforming to eithe- the low vacuum method or the isotactic method.
E X A M P L E S
~he invention will be more fully described below in _ g _ connection with examples thereo~ which, 0~` course, are in 110 way limitative.
Also it is to b~ unclerstood that al~hough specifically dense membranes are deal with in the examples, the membranes of the invention are applicable as well to porous membranes without departing from the spirit and scope o~ the invention.
Examplel Meso tris(~,(x,~--o-met~lacrylamidophenyl)-mono-(~-o-meth-acryl amidophenyl)porphyrinato cobalt (II) was synthesized in the following manner.
Meso-tris(~ o-aminophenyl)-mono-(~-o-aminophenyl-)porphyrin, an isomer of meso-tetra(o-aminophenyl)porphyrin (5 g), was separated and purified (Rf = 0.18, 2.5 g) using a silica gel column and chloroform/ether (4/1) solvent. 2.5 g of the separated meso-tris(~ -o-aminophenyl)-mono-(~-o-amino-phenyl)porphyrin was dissolved in 100 ml of a chloroform solu-tion. While the reactant solution was being kept at 0C or below, 12 ml triethylamine and 17 ml methacrylic acid chloride were added. After the reaction, the product was refined (Rf =
0.41) using a silica gel column and a developing solvent chloroform/ether (8/1) to yield 3.1 g of meso-tris(~ -o-methacrylamidophenyl)-mono-(~-o-methacrylamidophenyl)porphyrin, lH NMR~ (ppm): -2.7 (s, 2H internal H), 1.1-1.2 (s, 12H, -C(CH2)=CH3), 4.3-4.5 (s, 8H, -C(CH2)=CH3), 7.1-7.9 (m, 16H, phenyl-H), 8.7 (s, 4H, amide-H), 8.8 (s, 8H, pyrol, ~-H).

Cobalt ace~a-e ~Ind meso-tris((x,~ o-methacrylamido-phenyl)-mono-(~-o-methacrylamiclophenyl)porphyrin were dissolved in a mixed chloroform/methanol soLution. After 15 hours of boiling-point reflux, the resultant was column-refined to obtain 1.7 g of meso-tris(~ o-methacrylamidophenyl)-mono-(~-o-methacrylamidophenyl)porphyrinato cobalt (II).
A polymeric membrane was made in the following way.
Nitrogen gas was introduced for 0.5 hour separately into 20 ml of a chloroform solution containing 10 mg meso-tris(~ -o-methacrylamidophenyl)-mono-(~-o-methacrylamidophenyl)porphy-rinato cobalt (II) (hereinafter called "~3~-CoMP" for brevity) and lO0 ml of a chloroform solution containing 0.5 g poly-(octylmethacrylate-co-N-vinylimidazole) (TFMlm). Using three-way tubes the two ~olutions were simultaneously deaerated under vacuum.
Following thorough deaeration, the solutions were mixed, and the solvent was subjected to pressure reduction under vacuum until the total amount of the mixed solution decreased to about 30 ml. ~lext, the solution under vacuum was trans-ferred into a dry box, the box was swept out several times with nitrogen, and the solution under vacuum was cast over a tetra-fluoroethylene sheet 7 cm by 7 cm in size in an open nitrogen atmosphere. The chloroform solution was gradually reduced in pressure inside the dry box, down to 60, 50, 30, and 10 cmHg over '0 hours. Finally, a polymeric membrane containing 12% by weic~ht (~3p-coMP, !)O to 6~) ILIII ~hi.(k, red aTld c:lear, with adequate mechanical strenc3th, was obtained.
Reversible oxyqen adsorption and desorption of the por-ph~yrinato complex in the membrane could be confirmed from changes in the visible spectrum (oxygen-combined type: 545 nm;
deoxygenation type: 52~ nm).
The polymeric membrane thus prepared was tested for air permeability in conformity with the low vacuum method. The membrane had a permeability coefficient of 4.0xlO-9 cm3 (STP) -cm/cm2 sec cmHg and 2/N2 = 10, achieving efficient permeation of oxygen.
Reference values of a membrane using a complex meso-tetra-~ -o-pivalamidophenyl)porphyrinato cobalt (II), tested under the same conditions as above, were 1.7xlO9 (cm3 (STP) -cm/cm2 sec cmHg and O2/N2) = 4.3. The reference value of a polymeric membrane free of the complex was (O2/N2) = 3.2, clearly indicating the superior performance of the membrane according to the present inventi.on.
Example 2 A polymeric membrane, 50 to 60 ~m thick, was made in the same manner as described in Example 1 with the exception that the ~3~-CoMP was replaced by meso-tris(~ -o-acrylamido-phenyl)-mono-(~-o-acrylamidophenyl)porphyrinato cobalt (II).
Meso-tris(~ -o-acrylamidophenyl)-mono-(~-o-acrylamido-phenyl)porphyrinato cobalt (II) was synthesized in the follo-~ing way.
In the same manner as in Example 1, meso-tris(~ o-aminophenyl)-mono-(~-o-aminophenyl)porphyrin was purified (2.5 g). 2.5 g of the separated meso-tris(a,~,a-o-aminophenyl)-mono-(~-o-aminophenyl)porphyrin was dissolved in 100 ml of a chloroforrn solution. While the reactant solution was being kept a~ 0C or below, 12 ml triethylamine and 16 ml acrylic acid chloride were added. After the reaction, the resultant was column-refined to yield 2.6 g of meso-tris(~ -o-acryl-amidophenyl)-mono-(~-o-acrylamidophenyl ! porphyrin, lH NMR~
(ppm): -2.7 (s, 2H internal H), 5.0~.1 (s, 8H, -CH-CH2), 5.8, 5.9, 6.0 (s, 4H, -CH=CH2~, 7.1-7.9 (m, 16H, phenyl-H), 8.6 (s, 4H, a~ide-H), 8.9 (s, 8H, pyrol, ~-H).
Cobalt acetate and meso-tris(~ -o-acrylamidophenyl)-mono-(~-o-acrylamidophenyl)porphyrin were dissolved in a mixed chloro'orm/methanol solution. After 15 hours of boiling-point reflux, the resultant was column-refined to obtain 0.82 g of meso-tris(~ -o-acrylamidophenyl)-mono-(~-o-acrylamido-phenyl)porphyrinato cobalt (II) (hereinafter called "~3~-CoArP").
'~ complex membrane containing 13~ by weight ~3~-CoArP was made in the same way as in Example l. Reversible oxygen adsor?tion and desorption of the porphyrinato complex in the membrane could be confirmed from visible spectrum chanses (oxysen-combined type: 545 nm; deoxygenation type: 528 nm).

'l'he polymer.ic rnembrc~ne thus prepared was tested for air permeability in conformity wi-th the low vacuurn method. The membrane had a permeabLlity coefficient of 5.5xlO 9 cm3 (STP) -cmlcm2 sec cm~g and o~/N2 = 14, achieving efficient permeation of oxygen.
Reference values o:f a membrane usiny a complex meso-tetra-~ -o-piva.lamidophenyl)porphyrinato cobalt (II), tested under the same conditions as above, were: permeability coeffi-cient 1.7x10-9 cm3 (srrp) cm/cm2 sec cmHg and (02/N2) = 4.3. The reference value of a polymeric membrane free of the complex was (02/N2) = 3.2, clearly tes~ifying to the superior performance of the membrane of the present invention.
Example 3 The procedure of Example l was repeated excepting the use as the complex of meso-tris(~,~,a-o-acetamidophenyl)-mono-~p-o-acetamidophenyl)porphyrinato cobalt (II), and permeation measurements were made in the same manner as in Example 1.
The meso-tris(~,~,a-o-acetamidophenyl)-mono-(p-o-acet-amidophenyl)porphyrinato cobalt (II) was synthesized as below.
In the same manner as in Example 1, meso-tris(~ -o-aminophenyl)-mono-(~-o-aminophenyl)porphyrin was purified (2.5 g). 2.~ g of the separated meso-tris(a,~,a-o-aminophenyl)-mono-(~-o-aminophenyl)porphyrin was dissolved in lO0 ml of a chloroform solution. While the reactant solution was being kept at 0C or below, 12 ml. triethylamine and 14 ml acetyl chloride were added. After the reaction, 'he resultant was column-refined to yield 2.1 y of rneso-tris(~ -o-acetyl-amidophenyl)-mono-(~-o-acetylami.dophenyl)porphyrin, lH NMR~
(ppm): -2.5 (s, 2H internal H), 1.~0-1.90(s, 12H, CH3), 7.1-8.0 (m, 1.6H, pheny].-H), ~.7 (s, ~H, amide-H), 808 (s, 8H, pyrol, ~-Cobalt acetate and meso-tris(~ -o-acrylamidophenyl)-mono-(~-o-acrylamidophenyl)porphyrin were dissolved in a mixed chloroform/methanol solution. After 10 hours of boiling-point reflux, the resultant was column-refined to obtain 0.45 g of meso-tris(~ -o-acetylamidophenyl)-mono-(~-o-acetylamido-phenyl)porphyrinato cobalt (II) (hereinafter called "~3~-CoAtP").
A complex membrane containing 12% by weight ~3~-CoAtP was made in the same way as in Example 1. Reversible oxygen adsorp~ion and desorption of the porphyrinato complex in the membrane could be confirmed from visible spectrum changes (oxygen-combined type: 545 nm; deoxygenation type: 528 nm).
The polymeric membrane thus prepared was tested for air permea ility by the low vacuum method. The membrane had a permeability coefficient of 4.9xlO-9 cm3 (STP) cm/cm2 sec cmHg and 2/~2 = 12, achieving efficient oxygen permeation.
Reference values of a membrane using a complex meso-tetra-~ -o-pivalamidophenyl)porphyrinato cobalt (II), tested under .ne same conditions as above, were: permeability coeffi-cient 1.7x10-9 cm3 ((~rrp) cm/crn2 sec cmHg and (O2/N~ 4.3. The reference value of a polymeric membrane free of the complex was (O2/N2) = 3.2, clearly proving the superior performance of the membrane of the present invention.
Example In Example 1 the complex used was replaced by meso-tris~
~ ,a-o-pivalamidophenyl)-mono~ -o-pivalamidophenyl)porphy-rinato cobalt (II), but otherwise in the same manner as in Example 1 permeation measurements were made.
The meso-tris(~,~,a-o-pivalamidophenyl)-mono-(~-o-pival-amidophenyl)porphyrinato cobalt (II) was synthesized in the following way.
As in Example l, meso-tris(~ -o-aminophenyl)-mono-(~-o-aminophenyl)porphyrin was purified (2.5 g). 2.5 g of the sepa-rated meso-tris(a,~,a-o-aminophenyl)-mono-(~-o-aminophenyl)-porphyrin was dissolved in 100 ml of a chloroform solution.
While the reactant solution was being kept at 0C or below, 12 ml triethylamine and 18 ml acetyl chloride were added. After the reaction, the resultant was column-refined to yield 3.7 g of meso-tris(~ -o-pivalamidophenyl)-mono-(~-o-pivalamido-phenyl~porphyrin, 1~ NMRX (ppm): -2.5 (s, 2H internal H), 0.10, 0.16, 0.23 (s, 27H, tert CH3), 7.1-7.9 (m, 16H, phenyl-H), 8.7 (s, 4H, amide-H), 8.8 (s, 8H, pyrol, ~-H).
Cobalt acetate and meso-tris(~ -o-pivalamidophenyl)-mono-(~-o-pivalamidophenyl)porphyrin were dissolved in a mixed chloroform/methanol ;olution. After 20 hours of hoiling-point reflux, the resultant WclS column-refirled to obtain 3.1 g of meso-tris(~ -o--pivaLamiclophenyl)-mono-(~-o-pivalamido-phenyl)porphyrinato cohalt (II) (hereinafter called "~3~-CoPP" ) A complex memhrane containing 12~ by weight ~3~-CoPP was made in the same way as in Example 1. Reversible oxygen adsorption and desorption of the porphyrinato complex in the membrane could be confirmed from visible spectrum changes (oxygen-combined type: 545 nm; deoxygenation type: 528 nm).
The polymeric memhrane thus prepared was tested for air permeability by the low vacuum method. The membrane had a permeability coefficient of ~.5xlO 9 cm3 (STP) cm/cm2 sec cmHg and 02/N2 = 8.8, achieving efficient oxygen permeation.
Reference values of a membrane using a complex meso-tetra-(~,c,c,~-o-pivalamidophenyl)porphyrinato cobalt (II), tested under identical conditions, were: permeability coefficient 1.7x10-9 cm3 (STP) cm/cm2 sec cmHg and (02/N2) = 4.3. The reference value of a polymeric membrane free of the complex was (2/`~2) = 3.2, clearly proving the superior performance of the membrane of the present invention. Also, the oxygen permeabil-ity OI the membrane according to the invention was generally as stable as the conventional membranes.

Claims (8)

1. An oxygen-permeable polymeric membrane characterized by a complex comprising (a) a transition metal (II) ion, (b) a ligand comprising a meso-tris(.alpha.,.alpha.,.alpha.-o-substituted-amidophenyl)-mono-(.beta.-o-substituted amidophenyl)porphyrirlato, said metal ion and porphyrin being of the formula (I) (I) in which M stands for a transition metal (II), R's are a substituent each, being acetyl, acryl, methacryl, or pival, and (c) an aromatic amine polymer.

2. The membrane of claim 1 in which said transition metal (II) comprises cobalt (II).

3. The membrane of claim 1 in which said aromatic amine polymer comprises copolymers of a vinyl aromatic amine and either (a) an alkyl acrylate or (b) an alkyl methacrylate.

4. The membrane of claim 3 in which said vinyl aromatic amine is either (1) vinylimidazole or (2) vinylpyridine.

5. The membrane of claim 3 in which said alkyl group of the alkyl acrylate or alkyl methacrylate contains from 1 to 15 carbon atoms.

6. The membrane of claim 5 in which said transition metal (II) ion comprises cobalt (II).

7. The membrane of claim 1 in which said transition metal (II) and said ligand comprise from about 1 to 30 % by weight of the polymeric membrane.

8. The membrane of claim 6 in which said transition metal (II) and said ligand comprise from about 1 to 30 % by weight of the polymeric membrane.