MOF/polymer hybrid matrix membrane prepared by cross-linking for efficient separation of CO₂/N₂

Abstract Metal-organic framework fillers equipped with unique gas molecular-scale nanochannels have received much attention for modifying the organic membrane for CO 2 /N 2 separation. However, the hybrid matrix membranes suffer from low CO 2 permeability. In this paper, we prepare a crosslinked membrane, i.e., chemically crosslinking NH 2 -ZIF-8 and PIM-1, and then construct through pores in the crosslinked membrane to facilitate CO 2 mass transfer. On the one hand, thermal cross-linking can induce the polymerization of the -CN groups in the links of PIM-1 to open up the occluded pores. On the other hand, the polymer links of PIM-1 can be covalently cross-linked with the amino groups in the nanofillers, and the stabilized structure formed by covalent cross-linking can help to reduce the defects that may appear at the interface. Research indicated that the modified membrane exhibited a notable CO 2 permeability of 9204 Barrer. The distinctive structure and outstanding performance in CO 2 /N 2 separation suggest that the NH 2 -ZIF-8@PIM-1 membrane could be especially useful for real-world applications in CO 2 separation.