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Chen Q, Tang Y, Ding YM, Jiang HY, Zhang ZB, Li WX, Liu ML, Sun SP. Synergistic Construction of Sub-Nanometer Channel Membranes through MOF-Polymer Composites: Strategies and Nanofiltration Applications. Polymers (Basel) 2024; 16:1653. [PMID: 38932003 PMCID: PMC11207757 DOI: 10.3390/polym16121653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2024] [Revised: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The selective separation of small molecules at the sub-nanometer scale has broad application prospects in the field, such as energy, catalysis, and separation. Conventional polymeric membrane materials (e.g., nanofiltration membranes) for sub-nanometer scale separations face challenges, such as inhomogeneous channel sizes and unstable pore structures. Combining polymers with metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), which possess uniform and intrinsic pore structures, may overcome this limitation. This combination has resulted in three distinct types of membranes: MOF polycrystalline membranes, mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs), and thin-film nanocomposite (TFN) membranes. However, their effectiveness is hindered by the limited regulation of the surface properties and growth of MOFs and their poor interfacial compatibility. The main issues in preparing MOF polycrystalline membranes are the uncontrollable growth of MOFs and the poor adhesion between MOFs and the substrate. Here, polymers could serve as a simple and precise tool for regulating the growth and surface functionalities of MOFs while enhancing their adhesion to the substrate. For MOF mixed-matrix membranes, the primary challenge is the poor interfacial compatibility between polymers and MOFs. Strategies for the mutual modification of MOFs and polymers to enhance their interfacial compatibility are introduced. For TFN membranes, the challenges include the difficulty in controlling the growth of the polymer selective layer and the performance limitations caused by the "trade-off" effect. MOFs can modulate the formation process of the polymer selective layer and establish transport channels within the polymer matrix to overcome the "trade-off" effect limitations. This review focuses on the mechanisms of synergistic construction of polymer-MOF membranes and their structure-nanofiltration performance relationships, which have not been sufficiently addressed in the past.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, National Engineering Research Center for Special Separation Membranes, Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
- Nanjing Membrane Materials Industrial Technology Research Institute Co., Ltd., Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Ying Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, National Engineering Research Center for Special Separation Membranes, Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Yang-Min Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, National Engineering Research Center for Special Separation Membranes, Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Hong-Ya Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, National Engineering Research Center for Special Separation Membranes, Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Zi-Bo Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, National Engineering Research Center for Special Separation Membranes, Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Wei-Xing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, National Engineering Research Center for Special Separation Membranes, Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Mei-Ling Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, National Engineering Research Center for Special Separation Membranes, Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
- Nanjing Membrane Materials Industrial Technology Research Institute Co., Ltd., Nanjing 211816, China
- NJTECH University Suzhou Future Membrane Technology Innovation Center, Suzhou 215100, China
| | - Shi-Peng Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, National Engineering Research Center for Special Separation Membranes, Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
- Nanjing Membrane Materials Industrial Technology Research Institute Co., Ltd., Nanjing 211816, China
- NJTECH University Suzhou Future Membrane Technology Innovation Center, Suzhou 215100, China
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Liang Y, Zhang Z, Chen A, Yu C, Sun Y, Du J, Qiao Z, Wang Z, Guiver MD, Zhong C. Large-Area Ultrathin Metal-Organic Framework Membranes Fabricated on Flexible Polymer Supports for Gas Separations. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202404058. [PMID: 38528771 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202404058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Ultrathin continuous metal-organic framework (MOF) membranes have the potential to achieve high gas permeance and selectivity simultaneously for otherwise difficult gas separations, but with few exceptions for zeolitic-imidazolate frameworks (ZIF) membranes, current methods cannot conveniently realize practical large-area fabrication. Here, we propose a ligand back diffusion-assisted bipolymer-directed metal ion distribution strategy for preparing large-area ultrathin MOF membranes on flexible polymeric support layers. The bipolymer directs metal ions to form a cross-linked two-dimensional (2D) network with a uniform distribution of metal ions on support layers. Ligand back diffusion controls the feed of ligand molecules available for nuclei formation, resulting in the continuous growth of large-area ultrathin MOF membranes. We report the practical fabrication of three representative defect-free MOF membranes with areas larger than 2,400 cm2 and ultrathin selective layers (50-130 nm), including ZIFs and carboxylate-linker MOFs. Among these, the ZIF-8 membrane displays high gas permeance of 3,979 GPU for C3H6, with good mixed gas selectivity (43.88 for C3H6/C3H8). To illustrate its scale-up practicality, MOF membranes were prepared and incorporated into spiral-wound membrane modules with an active area of 4,800 cm2. The ZIF-8 membrane module presents high gas permeance (3,930 GPU for C3H6) with acceptable ideal gas selectivity (37.45 for C3H6/C3H8).
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Affiliation(s)
- Yueyao Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Separation Membranes and Membrane Processes, Tiangong University, Tianjin, 300387, China
- College of Textiles and Clothing, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Zhengqing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Separation Membranes and Membrane Processes, Tiangong University, Tianjin, 300387, China
| | - Aibing Chen
- College of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Hebei University of Science and Technology, 26 Yuxiang Road, Shijiazhuang, 050018, China
| | - Caijiao Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Separation Membranes and Membrane Processes, Tiangong University, Tianjin, 300387, China
| | - Yuxiu Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Separation Membranes and Membrane Processes, Tiangong University, Tianjin, 300387, China
| | - Juan Du
- College of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Hebei University of Science and Technology, 26 Yuxiang Road, Shijiazhuang, 050018, China
| | - Zhihua Qiao
- State Key Laboratory of Separation Membranes and Membrane Processes, Tiangong University, Tianjin, 300387, China
| | - Zhi Wang
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Michael D Guiver
- State Key Laboratory of Engines, School of Mechanical Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
- National Industry-Education Platform of Energy Storage, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Chongli Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Separation Membranes and Membrane Processes, Tiangong University, Tianjin, 300387, China
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Yu S, Li C, Zhao S, Chai M, Hou J, Lin R. Recent advances in the interfacial engineering of MOF-based mixed matrix membranes for gas separation. NANOSCALE 2024; 16:7716-7733. [PMID: 38536054 DOI: 10.1039/d4nr00096j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
The membrane process stands as a promising and transformative technology for efficient gas separation due to its high energy efficiency, operational simplicity, low environmental impact, and easy up-and-down scaling. Metal-organic framework (MOF)-polymer mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) combine MOFs' superior gas-separation performance with polymers' processing versatility, offering the opportunity to address the limitations of pure polymer or inorganic membranes for large-scale integration. However, the incompatibility between the rigid MOFs and flexible polymer chains poses a challenge in MOF MMM fabrication, which can cause issues such as MOF agglomeration, sedimentation, and interfacial defects, substantially weakening membrane separation efficiency and mechanical properties, particularly gas separation. This review focuses on engineering MMMs' interfaces, detailing recent strategies for reducing interfacial defects, improving MOF dispersion, and enhancing MOF loading. Advanced characterisation techniques for understanding membrane properties, specifically the MOF-polymer interface, are outlined. Lastly, it explores the remaining challenges in MMM research and outlines potential future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuwen Yu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Suzhou University, Suzhou, 234000, China
- School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia.
| | - Conger Li
- School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia.
- School of Physical Science and Technology, Shanghai Tech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Shuke Zhao
- School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia.
| | - Milton Chai
- School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia.
| | - Jingwei Hou
- School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia.
| | - Rijia Lin
- School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia.
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Liu L, Yu R, Yin L, Zhang N, Zhu G. Porous organic framework membranes based on interface-induced polymerisation: design, synthesis and applications. Chem Sci 2024; 15:1924-1937. [PMID: 38332830 PMCID: PMC10848777 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc05787a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Porous organic frameworks (POFs) are novel porous materials that have attracted much attention due to their extraordinary properties, such as high specific surface area, tunable pore size, high stability and ease of functionalisation. However, conventional synthesised POFs are mostly large-sized particles or insoluble powders, which are difficult to recycle and have low mass transfer efficiencies, limiting the development of their cutting-edge applications. Therefore, processing POF materials into membrane structures is of great significance. In recent years, interface engineering strategies have proved to be efficient methods for the formation of POF membranes. In this perspective, recent advances in the use of interfaces to prepare POF membranes are reviewed. The challenges of this strategy and the potential applications of the formed POF membranes are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Liu
- Department of Chemistry, Northeast Normal University Changchun China
| | - Ruihe Yu
- Department of Chemistry, Northeast Normal University Changchun China
| | - Liying Yin
- Department of Chemistry, Northeast Normal University Changchun China
- School of Chemistry and Life Science, Changchun University of Technology Changchun China
| | - Ning Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Northeast Normal University Changchun China
| | - Guangshan Zhu
- Department of Chemistry, Northeast Normal University Changchun China
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