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Updated: Jun 5, 2025
Electrophoretic Crystallization of Ultrathin High-performance Metal-organic Framework Membranes
Published on: August 16, 2018
Ultrahigh Proton Selectivity by Assembled Cationic Covalent Organic Framework Nanosheets
Xin Liu1, Weibin Lin1, Khozama Bader Al Mohawes1,2
1Department Smart Hybrid Materials Laboratory (SHMs), Department of Chemistry, Division of Physical Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Researchers developed a new method for large-scale synthesis of ionic covalent organic framework (COF) nanosheets. These 2D materials show promise for efficient proton transport and selective ion separation in advanced membrane technologies.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Ionic covalent organic framework (COF) nanosheets are 2D materials with potential for proton transport.
- Current synthesis methods often result in low aspect ratio nanosheets.
- Need for scalable and efficient synthesis of high-quality ionic COF nanosheets.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a bottom-up approach for large-scale synthesis of ionic COF nanosheets.
- To investigate the properties of these nanosheets for proton transport and ion separation.
- To demonstrate their application in acidic water waste treatment.
Main Methods:
- Utilized an oil-oil-water triphase system for monomer diffusion control.
- Enabled in-plane anisotropic secondary growth for large, crystalline nanosheet formation.
- Fabricated crack-free membranes from the synthesized ionic COF nanosheets.
Main Results:
- Achieved large-scale synthesis of ionic COF nanosheets with high crystallinity.
- Demonstrated excellent proton permeability through the COF nanosheet membranes.
- Showcased selective cation exclusion and efficient HCl extraction from acidic water.
Conclusions:
- The triphase system facilitates scalable production of high-aspect-ratio ionic COF nanosheets.
- These nanosheets are effective for proton transport and selective ion separation.
- This offers a new platform for designing advanced COF membranes for separation technologies.
