(355e) Synthesis and Characterization of ZIF-8 Membrane with Exceptionally High Propylene / Propane Separation Performance

Hyuk Taek Kwon¹, Sagar Lonkar¹, and Hae-Kwon Jeong*^1,2

¹Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering and ²Materials Science and Engineering Program

Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-3122

* Corresponding author: hjeong7@mail.che.tamu.edu

Metal-organic-frameworks (MOFs) have attracted intense research interest due to their potential application such as small-molecule separation¹, storage², catalysis³, and others. Membrane-based gas separation is one of the most intriguing applications where MOFs can play a role due to their regular and sub-molecular size of pore structure, recognition and binding ability of specific molecules⁴.

Several MOF membranes have been synthesized and tested for gas separation⁵. Despite their potentials, most of MOF membranes reported showed rather unimpressive separation performances mainly due to the flexible nature of their frameworks⁶ as well as the likely poor microstructure. Recently Lai and co-worker have synthesized ZIF-8 membrane with exceptional hydrocarbon separation capability. The superior performance is likely due to improved microstructure⁷, confirming the importance of controlling microstructure. Besides, there is also a strong need to develop a new synthesis method to prepare MOF membranes in a commercially-viable manner.

Here, we would like to present one-step in-situ route to prepare ZIF-8 membrane, which is highly reproducible. The formation of defect-free ZIF-8 membrane was completed within a couple of hours with exceptional mechanical stability. Most importantly, the membranes showed the exceptionally high separation performance of propylene / propane. We will also present synthesis of other MOF membranes such as HKUST-1 and ZIF-7.

References and Notes

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