Polymer-Infiltrated Metal–Organic Frameworks for Thin-Film Composite Mixed-Matrix Membranes with High Gas Separation Properties

Abstract

Thin-film composite mixed-matrix membranes (TFC-MMMs) have potential applications in practical gas separation processes because of their high permeance (gas flux) and gas selectivity. In this study, we fabricated a high-performance TFC-MMM based on a rubbery comb copolymer, i.e., poly(2-[3-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-4-hydroxyphenyl] ethyl methacrylate)-co-poly(oxyethylene methacrylate) (PBE), and metal–organic framework MOF-808 nanoparticles. The rubbery copolymer penetrates through the pores of MOF-808, thereby tuning the pore size. In addition, the rubbery copolymer forms a defect-free interfacial morphology with polymer-infiltrated MOF-808 nanoparticles. Consequently, TFC-MMMs (thickness = 350 nm) can be successfully prepared even with a high loading of MOF-808. As polymer-infiltrated MOF is incorporated into the polymer matrix, the PBE/MOF-808 membrane exhibits a significantly higher CO2 permeance (1069 GPU) and CO2/N2 selectivity (52.7) than that of the pristine PBE membrane (CO2 permeance = 431 GPU and CO2/N2 selectivity = 36.2). Therefore, the approach considered in this study is suitable for fabricating high-performance thin-film composite membranes via polymer infiltration into MOF pores.

Computational Simulation of CO2/CH4 Separation on a Three-Dimensional Cd-Based Metal–Organic Framework

“…MOFs are porous inorganic materials that have received much attention recently owing to their outstanding characteristics, such as significant surface area and porosity, thermal/chemical stability, and tunability. − MOFs are considered promising materials for a variety of potential applications across various fields, including gas storage and separation, chemical sensing, biomedical applications, adsorption, and heterogeneous catalysis. − They are considered as one of the most promising physical adsorbent materials in the process of separating CO 2 /CH 4 . The engineering design of MOFs for gas separation applications is currently a rapidly growing area of research. − Numerous experimental and simulation-based studies have been documented involving the separation of CO 2 from CH 4 through the use of MOFs. − Considering the quadrupole moment and polarizability of CO 2 , current research efforts to enhance CO 2 uptake and selectivity primarily involves strategies aimed at improving the interaction between CO 2 and the frameworks. These include, but are not limited to, the utilization of various open metal sites, the insertion of functional groups, , the development of smart adsorbents, and ligand shortening in MOFs. , An investigation showed that MOF-801­(Ce) displayed improved separation performance for CO 2 /N 2 and CO 2 /CH 4 compared to MOF-801­(Zr/Hf) .…”

The Effect of Complex Modifier Consisting of Star Macromolecules and Ionic Liquid on Structure and Gas Separation of Polyamide Membrane

“…Membrane gas separation is currently being actively developed and widely used in chemical and petrochemical plants for the separation of hydrogen from various streams, removal of carbon dioxide from natural gas, separation of nitrogen from air, etc. [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]. However, to expand the scope of existing applications of membrane technologies, it is necessary to develop membrane materials with improved transport properties [ 8 , 9 , 10 ].…”