POROUS RUBBER MATERIALS

摘要

The present invention provides a material comprising pores with a diameter which allows the passage of water through the material but excludes molecules larger than water. The pores are typically less than 10A DEG in diameter and exclude the passage of hazardous chemicals across the material. The material preferably comprises a polymeric matrix, e.g. natural or synthetic rubber, and the pores are provided by a chemical compound included within the polymeric matrix, e.g. by cyclodextrins. The materials may be used to provide water permeable chemically resistant material useful for preparing e.g. protective clothing. The invention also provides methods for preparing the materials described above and novel chemical compounds suitable for incorporation into polymers to provide pores. It also provides methods and apparatus for separating compounds comprising immobilised cyclodextrins.