Design and Fabrication of Metal-Organic Framework UiO-66 Membranes for Advanced Separation

UiO-66, a zirconium-based metal-organic framework (MOF) membrane material characterized by exceptional chemical stability and adjustable pore size, has garnered significant interest in the separation domain owing to the synergistic effect of its intrinsic separation properties and the high efficacy of membrane technology. Currently, several methods for producing UiO-66 polycrystalline membranes have been established. Controlling reaction parameters, enhancing the seed layer, and developing composite structures can accurately optimize the membrane's crystallinity, defect density, and interfacial bonding strength, laying a solid structural foundation for its practical uses. UiO-66-based polycrystalline membranes offer superior gas separation performance for mixed gas systems like CO2/N2, with higher permeability and selectivity compared to standard membranes. In the realm of nanofiltration, it can accurately retain dyes and tiny organic molecules, indicating a high application potential in wastewater treatment. Pervaporation efficiently dehydrates organic materials, satisfying the purifying needs of the fine chemical sector. In ion separation, ligand functionalization enables the selective removal of various ions, allowing for the enrichment of specific ions. However, UiO-66 polycrystalline membranes have numerous obstacles, including expensive costs for large-scale preparation and poor stability in complex systems. Future study should concentrate on functional modification and innovation in preparation techniques to broaden their industrial uses.