MOF Membranes for Gas Separation

This chapter focuses on the processing of Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) into membranes to achieve gas separation. It emphasizes the synthetic methods and typical gas separation performance. Polycrystalline MOF membranes associated with high permeability and selectivity has received extensive attention in the last decade. For gas separation application the key is the preparation of continuous and well-intergrown polycrystalline MOF membranes. Mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) are generally polymer/ inorganic composites consisting of a primary polymer phase and a secondary phase of dispersed inorganic particles. The researchers in the field of polymeric membranes are inclined to prepare MOF based asymmetric MMMs constructed by a very thin selective layer on the non-selective porous supports. Polymeric membranes are vulnerable to the plasticization effects that particularly appear with pressurized CO 2 feed steam, which could significantly decrease their performance. Thus, the plasticization of applied MOF MMMs should be mitigated as much as possible for the long-term stability.