Synthesis, Transfer, and Gas Separation Characteristics of MOF-Templated Polymer Membranes

Abstract

This paper discusses the potential of polymer networks, templated by crystalline metal–organic framework (MOF), as novel selective layer material in thin film composite membranes. The ability to create mechanically stable membranes with an ultra-thin selective layer of advanced polymer materials is highly desirable in membrane technology. Here, we describe a novel polymeric membrane, which is synthesized via the conversion of a surface anchored metal–organic framework (SURMOF) into a surface anchored gel (SURGEL). The SURGEL membranes combine the high variability in the building blocks and the possibility to control the network topology and membrane thickness of the SURMOF synthesis with high mechanical and chemical stability of polymers. Next to the material design, the transfer of membranes to suitable supports is also usually a challenging task, due to the fragile nature of the ultra-thin films. To overcome this issue, we utilized a porous support on top of the membrane, which is mechanically stable enough to allow for the easy membrane transfer from the synthesis substrate to the final membrane support. To demonstrate the potential for gas separation of the synthesized SURGEL membranes, as well as the suitability of the transfer method, we determined the permeance for eight gases with different kinetic diameters.

Current Trends in Metal–Organic and Covalent Organic Framework Membrane Materials

“…The processability of MOF and COF materials is of increasing importance and has caught the attention of the scientific community, leading to many derivative materials with extreme potential, such as porous liquids,[ 13 , 14 , 15 ] amorphous, porous MOF‐based glasses,[ 16 , 17 , 18 ] and porous organic polymers,[ 19 , 20 , 21 ] bringing MOFs/COFs up to the next level. Also, from a more fundamental point of view it is important to step away from the random testing of materials.…”

Stability of Monolithic MOF Thin Films in Acidic and Alkaline Aqueous Media

“…MOFs show a large variety of topologies, window apertures, pore sizes, and functionalities. Given such versatility, the application of MOFs has been explored in multiple fields including gas storage, gas- and liquid-phase separation, sensor technologies, electrochemistry, among others [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]. Likewise, the study and production of high-quality thin MOF films supported on flat substrates has been evolving quickly and continues to be an important point of research with great areas of opportunity [ 10 , 11 , 12 ].…”

Efficient Fluoride Removal from Aqueous Solution Using Zirconium-Based Composite Nanofiber Membranes

“…MOFs manifest great interest in many fields because their porous structures originate from metal clusters and organic ligands, leading to diverse organic–inorganic hybrid linkages [ 25 , 26 ]. MOFs have been investigated for various purposes such as removing toxic gases, hydrogen storage, and CO 2 adsorption [ 27 , 28 , 29 ]. Furthermore, many MOF types have shown high capacities for removing pollutants from water, particularly for de-fluoridation processes [ 30 , 31 ].…”