Mass transport through metal organic framework membranes

Abstract

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), which are composed of metal nodes and organic ligands, possess crystal phase, ordered well-defined porous structure and large surface area. Since first reported in 1990, MOFs have attracted extensive attention and the fabrication of MOF membranes has expanded their applications and endowed them with a bright future in various fields. The mass transportation process through MOF membranes is vital during their diverse applications. In this review, the strategies of preparing continuous and well-intergrown MOF membranes are presented firstly. The selective transportation processes of gas molecules, liquid molecules and ions through MOF membranes are discussed in detail, respectively. The effects of pore entrance size, interaction, functional groups decorating on the ligands and guest components on mass transportation have been summarized in this review as well. In addition, MOF membranes with selective transportation performance demonstrate potential in separation, catalysis, energy transformation and storage devices, and so on.