In this work, zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIF-8) and carboxylated carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were compounded to prepare a kebab-like one-dimensional linear composite, ZIF-8@CNTs. The mixed-matrix membrane (MMM) for separating carbon dioxide is prepared by embedding it into the polymer matrix Pebax-1657. The results indicated the successful synthesis of the ZIF-8@CNT composite. The combination of ZIF-8 and carboxylated CNTs avoided the aggregation of ZIF-8 in the polymer, increased the free volume of the MMM, and enhanced the CO2 adsorption performance and CO2/N2 separation performance. In addition, the interaction between CNTs and ZIF-8 provided a fast transport channel for CO2 molecules and improved the mechanical properties of the MMM. The 5 wt % ZIF-8@CNT MMM showed the best separation performance with a CO2 permeability of 225.5 Barrer and a CO2/N2 selectivity of 48.9, which exceeded the Robeson upper limit in 2008. The combination of high permeability and selectivity made Pebax/ZIF-8@CNT MMMs promising for industrial CO2 separation applications.

A 3D hierarchically micro- and mesoporous MOF, [Tb6(μ3-OH)8·(2-FBA)2·(H2O)6·(DCBA)2]·10DMF·4H2O (namely, Tb-DCBA), was successfully constructed by the coordination self-assembly process between H4DCBA linker and Tb6 hexanuclear cluster. By virtue of preferable physicochemical stability, high surface area, multiple porosity, and abundant amino functional groups, Tb-DCBA is not merely considered as a greatly potential heterogeneous catalyst for Knoevenagel condensation reaction, but also has remarkable repeatability for reusing at least four times. It is worth noting that micro- and mesoporous MOF is still an urgent and enormous challenge, because such MOFs are difficult to synthesize and determine precise structures, and always possess relatively poor stability to limit their practical applications. Hence, this work creates a scarce opportunity for a hierarchically micro- and mesoporous MOF for investigating its catalytic performance.

Synthesis of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with template strategy is still fascinating and has received considerably attentions from structural chemists. In this review, we summarize the developments in tuning MOF hosts...

This paper aims at investigating reinforcement effects and mechanisms of four kinds of nanoparticles (SiO2, hectorite, Al2O3 and TiO2) for double‐network hydrogels. Mechanical tests were conducted to determine optimal contents and advantages of those nanoparticles in improving strength or strechability. The results showed that the hydrogels with Al2O3 showed a tensile stress of 0.33 MPa, the compressive stress of 3.38 MPa and high fracture energy of 1117 J · m−2, while the hydrogels with hectorite achieved a strain ratio of 2280% and better elastic modulus of 170.2 kPa. The reinforcement mechanisms were discussed in terms of morphologies, swelling behaviors and dynamic mechanical properties. Moreover, a cell culture test was applied to prove these nanocomposite hydrogels were non‐poisonous to living cells.