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.
Highlights
Various relevant technologies for gas separation applications have been developed in the petrochemical industries, such as distillation and condensation
Itnhethseucscuececdeiendging sections, we present many successful reported examples of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) membranes used for different gas separations systems and discuss for each application the basic background and requirements. 4.1
Hydrogen (H2) is one of the trustworthy, viable, and environmental friendly energy sections, we present many successful reported examples of MOF membranes used for different gas separations systems and discuss for each application the basic background and requirements
Summary
Various relevant technologies for gas separation applications have been developed in the petrochemical industries, such as distillation and condensation. In the case of microporous membranes, such as zeolites and MOFs, many aspects can contribute to their separation features, such as for instance molecular sieving (which is based on aperture size/shape selectivity), pore system functionalization, surface diffusion, and capillary condensation In another case, favored sorption could play the dominant role in permeation. Molecules in the gas mixture that have relatively stronger affinity/interactions with the pore system of the membrane will adsorb strongly and diffuse faster through the membrane if the pore’s apertures and size are larger than the dimensions of the permeates [31,32] This case can lead to good separation (i.e., solubility-based separations) if the interactions are mild enough to allow for optimal desorption downstream, resulting in a permselectivity in favor of the highly absorbable analyte. MOF-based thin films development experience other serious challenges that should be considered in order to apply the MOFs as membranes, such as the facility of fabrication, the crystallinity of the films, the directionality of the growth, the activation condition, the controlled tunability, and the functionality and flexibility of the structure
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