Metal–Organic Framework Membranes: From Fabrication to Gas Separation

Abstract

Gas membrane-based separation is considered one of the most effective technologies to address energy efficiency and large footprint challenges. Various classes of advanced materials, including polymers, zeolites, porous carbons, and metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have been investigated as potential suitable candidates for gas membrane-based separations. MOFs possess a uniquely tunable nature in which the pore size and environment can be controlled by connecting metal ions (or metal ion clusters) with organic linkers of various functionalities. This unique characteristic makes them attractive for the fabrication of thin membranes, as both the diffusion and solubility components of permeability can be altered. Numerous studies have been published on the synthesis and applications of MOFs, as well as the fabrication of MOF-based thin films. However, few studies have addressed their gas separation properties for potential applications in membrane-based separation technologies. Here, we present a synopsis of the different types of MOF-based membranes that have been fabricated over the past decade. In this review, we start with a short introduction touching on the gas separation membrane technology. We also shed light on the various techniques developed for the fabrication of MOF as membranes, and the key challenges that still need to be tackled before MOF-based membranes can successfully be used in gas separation and implemented in an industrial setting.

Solvent Impact on the Properties of Benchmark Metal–Organic Frameworks: Acetonitrile‐Based Synthesis of CAU‐10, Ce‐UiO‐66, and Al‐MIL‐53

“…Over the past years metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have gained much attention because of their potential applications in, for example, gas storage and separation, sensing, catalysis, heat transformation, and the medical sector . This led to intense research activities on the development of new and synthetically challenging MOFs with in some cases highly complex structures .…”

Anionic and neutral 2D indium metal–organic frameworks as catalysts for the Ugi one-pot multicomponent reaction

“…Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) constitute a class of reticular materials, built up by the combination of metal cations and organic linkers to form extended, crystalline structures. 1 The huge range of possible combinations of metal elements 2 and organic linkers, 3 and their structural variability, make MOFs very versatile materials with application in an extensive variety of fields, such as catalytic applications, 4 gas and hydrocarbon storage 5,6 and separation, [7][8][9][10] electronic sensors 11,12 and water capture 13,14 and adsorption, 15 among others. [16][17][18][19] The use of MOFs in heterogeneous catalysis is particularly interesting as it is possible to attain different metal coordination environments in active solids, thus being possible to modify the activity and selectivity of the resulting catalysts towards a desired reaction.…”

Ultrathin permselective membranes: the latent way for efficient gas separation

“…As such, MOFs have been also recognized by their poor hydrothermal and chemical stability and durability. 58 However, given the diversity of chemical compositions, structures, and stabilities, proper selection of the MOF is of paramount importance in order to obtain the best matching with other components of the membrane. Regarding COFs, the successful construction of a wide variety of such crystalline COFs materials greatly depends on the reversible reactions.…”