Large-Area Ultrathin Metal-Organic Framework Membranes Fabricated on Flexible Polymer Supports for Gas Separations.

Ultrathin continuous metal-organic framework (MOF) membranes have the potential to achieve high gas permeance and selectivity simultaneously for otherwise difficult gas separations, but with few exceptions for zeolitic-imidazolate frameworks (ZIF) membranes, current methods cannot conveniently realize practical large-area fabrication. Here, we propose a ligand back diffusion-assisted bipolymer-directed metal ion distribution strategy for preparing large-area ultrathin MOF membranes on flexible polymeric support layers. The bipolymer directs metal ions to form a cross-linked two-dimensional (2D) network with a uniform distribution of metal ions on support layers.

Step-Nucleation In Situ Self-Repair to Prepare Rollable Large-Area Ultrathin MOF Membranes.

Ultrathin membranes with ultrahigh permeance and good gas selectivity have the potential to greatly decrease separation process costs, but it requires the practical preparation of large area membranes for implementation. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are very attractive for membrane gas separation applications. However, to date, the largest MOF membrane area reported in the literature is only about 100 cm .