Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 2, 2026
07:45
Electrophoretic Crystallization of Ultrathin High-performance Metal-organic Framework Membranes
Published on: August 16, 2018
10.5K
Interfacial Engineering in Metal-Organic Framework-Based Mixed Matrix Membranes Using Covalently Grafted Polyimide
Hongliang Wang1, Sanfeng He1, Xuedi Qin1
1School of Physical Science and Technology , ShanghaiTech University , Shanghai 201210 , China.
Journal of the American Chemical Society
|November 16, 2018
Summary
Grafting polyimide brushes onto metal-organic framework (MOF) surfaces creates robust membranes for gas separation. These modified MOF membranes show enhanced performance and ductility, even at high MOF loadings.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Chemical Engineering
- Polymer Science
Background:
- Interfacial compatibility is crucial for metal-organic framework (MOF)-based mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs) in gas separation.
- Traditional MMMs often suffer from poor MOF-polymer interactions, limiting their performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To engineer the MOF-polymer interface using covalently grafted polyimide brushes.
- To develop high-performance MMMs with improved mechanical properties and gas separation capabilities.
Main Methods:
- Covalently grafting polyimide brushes onto MOF surfaces.
- Fabricating stand-alone membranes with high MOF loading (88 wt%) without a traditional polymer matrix.
- Evaluating membrane ductility, interfacial integrity, and gas separation performance (CO2/N2, CO2/CH4).
Main Results:
- Polyimide-grafted MOF particles formed stable, stand-alone membranes at 88 wt% MOF loading.
- Modified membranes exhibited significantly improved ductility (up to 472%) and reduced interfacial tearing.
- Enhanced resistance to CO2 plasticization and decreased matrix chain mobility were observed.
- Simultaneous increases in selectivity and permeability for CO2/N2 and CO2/CH4 separations were achieved with increasing MOF loading.
Conclusions:
- Covalently grafted polyimide brushes effectively engineer the MOF-polymer interface, overcoming limitations of traditional MMMs.
- The developed MOF-based membranes offer superior mechanical properties and exceptional gas separation performance.
- This approach enables high MOF loading while maintaining and improving separation efficiency, aligning with theoretical predictions.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Covalent Bonds
162.3K
Overview
162.3K
01:08Covalent Bonds
11.0K
Overview
When two atoms share electrons to complete their valence shells, they create a covalent bond. An atom's electronegativity—the force with which shared electrons are pulled towards an atom—determines how the electrons are shared. Molecules formed with covalent bonds can be either polar or nonpolar. Atoms with similar electronegativities form nonpolar covalent bonds; the electrons are shared equally. Atoms with different electronegativities share electrons unequally,...
When two atoms share electrons to complete their valence shells, they create a covalent bond. An atom's electronegativity—the force with which shared electrons are pulled towards an atom—determines how the electrons are shared. Molecules formed with covalent bonds can be either polar or nonpolar. Atoms with similar electronegativities form nonpolar covalent bonds; the electrons are shared equally. Atoms with different electronegativities share electrons unequally,...
11.0K
02:18Network Covalent Solids
16.2K
Network covalent solids contain a three-dimensional network of covalently bonded atoms as found in the crystal structures of nonmetals like diamond, graphite, silicon, and some covalent compounds, such as silicon dioxide (sand) and silicon carbide (carborundum, the abrasive on sandpaper). Many minerals have networks of covalent bonds.
To break or to melt a covalent network solid, covalent bonds must be broken. Because covalent bonds are relatively strong, covalent network solids are typically...
To break or to melt a covalent network solid, covalent bonds must be broken. Because covalent bonds are relatively strong, covalent network solids are typically...
16.2K
02:32Bonding in Metals
52.4K
Metallic bonds are formed between two metal atoms. A simplified model to describe metallic bonding has been developed by Paul Drüde called the “Electron Sea Model”.
52.4K
02:51Metal-Ligand Bonds
24.3K
The hemoglobin in the blood, the chlorophyll in green plants, vitamin B-12, and the catalyst used in the manufacture of polyethylene all contain coordination compounds. Ions of the metals, especially the transition metals, are likely to form complexes.
In these complexes, transition metals form coordinate covalent bonds, a kind of Lewis acid-base interaction in which both of the electrons in the bond are contributed by a donor (Lewis base) to an electron acceptor (Lewis acid). The Lewis acid in...
In these complexes, transition metals form coordinate covalent bonds, a kind of Lewis acid-base interaction in which both of the electrons in the bond are contributed by a donor (Lewis base) to an electron acceptor (Lewis acid). The Lewis acid in...
24.3K
02:04Covalently Linked Protein Regulators
9.6K
Proteins can undergo many types of post-translational modifications, often in response to changes in their environment. These modifications play an important role in the function and stability of these proteins. Covalently linked molecules include functional groups, such as methyl, acetyl, and phosphate groups, and also small proteins, such as ubiquitin. There are around 200 different types of covalent regulators that have been identified.
These groups modify specific amino acids in a protein....
These groups modify specific amino acids in a protein....
9.6K