Molecular‐scale hybrid membranes: Metal‐oxo cluster crosslinked benzimidazole‐linked polymer membranes for superior <scp>H<sub>2</sub></scp> purification
Zhecheng Guo, Shenzhen Cong, Liping Luan, Min Li, Chenglian Luo, Caixia Wang, Zhi Wang, Xinlei Liu
Abstract
Abstract Hydrogen (H 2 ) purification requires separation membranes with excellent performance and high stability. Here, a few nanometer‐sized Zr‐oxygen clusters (CP‐2) abundant in amino groups were incorporated in benzimidazole‐linked polymers (BILPs) by interfacial polymerization (IP) to fabricate molecular‐scale hybrid membranes for efficient H 2 /CO 2 separation. The amino groups in CP‐2 engage in IP. The structure of the BILPs polymer chains is regulated and more H 2 selective channels are created. The hybrid membranes provide an H 2 /CO 2 selectivity of up to 75.2 (with a corresponding H 2 permeance of 318 GPU) and a high H 2 permeance of up to 1470 GPU (with a corresponding H 2 /CO 2 selectivity of 23.6). In addition, the membranes exhibit satisfactory separation performance and durability under industry‐relevant conditions (573 K, 11 bar, or steam treatment).