2D metal–organic frameworks (MOF) have demonstrated exceptional properties and advantages for applications in catalysis, membrane separation, medicine, and energy harvesting and storage systems as compared to their bulk counterpart. Despite these promises, scalable synthesis of 2D MOFs remains a frontier challenge in chemistry, which limits its potential for commercialization. This review article provides a brief overview on different 2D MOF synthetic approaches followed by recent advances toward the scalable synthesis of 2D MOFs.

Metal-organic framework (MOF) membranes are potentially useful in gas separation applications. Conventional methods of MOF membrane preparation require multiple steps and high-pressure conditions. In this study, a reliable one-step interfacial synthesis method under atmospheric pressure has been developed to prepare zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) membranes supported on porous α-Al2O3 disks. To obtain optimal ZIF-8 membranes, three reaction parameters were investigated, namely, reaction temperature, reaction time, and concentration of the organic linker (i.e., 2-methylimidazole). The growth of ZIF-8 membranes under various parameters was evaluated by field-emission scanning electron microscopy, and the optimal synthesis conditions were determined (i.e., 80 °C for 12 h in 50 mM of 2-methylimidazole). The as-synthesized ZIF-8 membranes were then applied to CO2/N2 gas separation, which exhibited a maximum separation factor of 5.49 and CO2 gas permeance of 0.47 × 10−7 mol·m−2·s−1·Pa−1.