Nanosheet-bridged metal-organic framework membranes for durable hydrocarbon separation under high pressure
Quan Zhao, Mingang Zhao, Wen Wang, Ziheng Song, Jianyu Wang, Yongjun Tian, Qianfeng Pan, Hanze Ma, Sheng Yuan, Shilin Guo, Yuhan Yang, Yanshuo Li, Rongfei Zhou, Guangwei He, Zhongyi Jiang
Abstract
Metal-organic framework (MOF) membranes have garnered notable interest in molecular separation. However, their high-pressure application is severely hampered by the mechanical fragility stemming from weak interactions at grain boundaries. Inspired by the cuttlebone’s wall-cavity structure, we develop a class of nanosheets-bridged MOF membranes (NB-MOFs). These graphene oxide nanosheets act as a rigid wall, bridging soft MOF grains and dispersing accumulated stresses at grain boundaries under external loadings, thereby preventing structural cracking and enhancing the mechanical robustness of crystal membranes. By fine-tuning the morphology and content of nanosheets, the optimized NB–ZIF-8 membranes are endowed with unprecedented 50-bar pressure resistance and superior C 3 H 6 /C 3 H 8 separation performance, with a separation factor >240 maintained above 300 hours at industry-relevant pressure. We also confirm our strategy’s versatility by fabricating pressure-resistant NB–ZIF-67 membrane and commercial polymer-supported NB-MOF membranes. We envision that our strategy will establish a platform for developing durable crystalline membranes and unlock their potential in real-world scenarios.