Asymmetric ionic covalent organic framework membranes with tunable Turing patterns prepared via ion regulated...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Advanced self-standing ionic covalent organic framework membranes (ICOFMs) are essential for applications like separation processes, flexible electronics, and optoelectronics.
• Current ICOFMs often face a trade-off between mechanical strength and high crystallinity, limiting their performance and durability.
• Developing ICOFMs with both superior mechanical properties and high crystallinity remains a significant challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel synthetic methodology for preparing hypercrystalline and highly durable ICOFMs.
• To investigate the influence of inorganic ions on interfacial polymerization for controlled ICOFM synthesis.
• To explore the potential of these advanced ICOFMs in various high-end applications.

Main Methods:

• A synthetic methodology utilizing an inorganic ion strategy and electrostatic-assisted interfacial monomers aggregation.
• Systematic study of four categories of inorganic ions (strong acid, weak acid, non-metallic salt, metal cations) effects on interfacial polymerization (IP).
• Utilized molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, density functional theory (DFT) calculation, and experimental validation.

Main Results:

• Successfully prepared hypercrystalline and highly durable ICOFMs with tunable Turing patterns.
• Demonstrated exceptional mechanical properties, asymmetric fluid transport, and molecular sieve capabilities.
• The inorganic ion strategy effectively regulated diffusion, reactivity, and coordination for optimized reaction-diffusion conditions.

Conclusions:

• The developed inorganic ion strategy provides a new approach to overcome the mechanical strength-crystallinity trade-off in ICOFMs.
• These advanced ICOFMs exhibit promising properties for next-generation membrane technologies and electronic devices.
• This work paves the way for the rational design, efficient synthesis, and high-end applications of COF membranes.