Review of Synthesis and Separation Application of Metal-Organic Framework-Based Mixed-Matrix Membranes

Abstract

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are porous crystalline materials assembled from organic ligands and metallic secondary building blocks. Their special structural composition gives them the advantages of high porosity, high specific surface area, adjustable pore size, and good stability. MOF membranes and MOF-based mixed-matrix membranes prepared from MOF crystals have ultra-high porosity, uniform pore size, excellent adsorption properties, high selectivity, and high throughput, which contribute to their being widely used in separation fields. This review summarizes the synthesis methods of MOF membranes, including in situ growth, secondary growth, and electrochemical methods. Mixed-matrix membranes composed of Zeolite Imidazolate Frameworks (ZIF), University of Oslo (UIO), and Materials of Institute Lavoisier (MIL) frameworks are introduced. In addition, the main applications of MOF membranes in lithium–sulfur battery separators, wastewater purification, seawater desalination, and gas separation are reviewed. Finally, we review the development prospects of MOF membranes for the large-scale application of MOF membranes in factories.

Synergy of Ligands in Tailoring the Photocatalytic Properties of Zirconium Metal–Organic Framework-Impregnated Membranes for Water Treatment

“…It can be correlated that the nature of particle presence on the membrane surface may be associated with the properties of ligands. 33 Accordingly, the 2-aminoterephthalic acid (ATP) ligands are likely assisting the particles to be locally distributed on the membrane surface, while the 2-methylimidazole (2M) ligands facilitate a larger distribution of particles on the membrane surface, which considerably modifies the membrane as well. 21,34 The cross-sectional images revealed that the intrinsic pore channels of the bare membrane are short-range and disrupted, as shown in Figure 3e.…”

Recent progress in 2D and 3D metal–organic framework-based membranes for water sustainability

“…Growth parameters, such as reactant concentration, solvent composition, and reaction time, can be adjusted to control the membrane. 36,37 Depending on the specific substrates employed, in situ growth methods can be classified into two categories: direct growth methods and modified substrate methods.…”

Copper(ii)-MOFs for bio-applications

“…16 Today, it is known that characteristics such as the type of solvent, the salt source of the metal, the metal–ligand ratio, the capping agent and the addition of a base have an effect on the synthesis, and the size and morphology of the crystals obtained. 1,17,18 Therefore, from performing solvothermal syntheses that are typically carried out in DMF and high temperatures, 19 to green syntheses carried out in aqueous or methanolic media at room temperature, together with the aforementioned characteristics, allow the control of the morphology and size of the crystals. 20,21…”