Covalent Organic Framework Membranes for Ion Separation: A Review

Covalent organic framework (COF) membranes have garnered significant attention in ion separation due to their high surface area, tunable pore size, excellent stability, and diverse functional groups. Over the past decade, various synthesis methods, such as solvothermal synthesis, interfacial synthes...

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Main Authors: Yutong Lou, Zhanyong Wang, Wanbei Yang, Shuchen Lang, Jiaxing Fan, Qiaomei Ke, Rui Wang, Zhen Zhang, Wentao Chen, Jian Xue
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Membranes
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/15/7/211
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author Yutong Lou
Zhanyong Wang
Wanbei Yang
Shuchen Lang
Jiaxing Fan
Qiaomei Ke
Rui Wang
Zhen Zhang
Wentao Chen
Jian Xue
author_facet Yutong Lou
Zhanyong Wang
Wanbei Yang
Shuchen Lang
Jiaxing Fan
Qiaomei Ke
Rui Wang
Zhen Zhang
Wentao Chen
Jian Xue
author_sort Yutong Lou
collection DOAJ
description Covalent organic framework (COF) membranes have garnered significant attention in ion separation due to their high surface area, tunable pore size, excellent stability, and diverse functional groups. Over the past decade, various synthesis methods, such as solvothermal synthesis, interfacial synthesis, microwave-assisted solvothermal synthesis, and in situ growth, have been developed to fabricate COF membranes. COF membranes have demonstrated remarkable ion separation performance in different separation processes driven by pressure, electric field, and vapor pressure difference, showing great potential in a wide range of applications. Nevertheless, challenges in the synthesis and application of COF membranes still remain, requiring further research to fully realize their potential in ion separation. This review critically examines the development of COF membranes, from synthesis methods to ion separation applications. We evaluate the advantages and limitations of various synthesis techniques and systematically summarize COF membrane performance based on separation driving forces. Finally, we present a critical analysis of current challenges and offer perspectives on promising future research directions for advancing COF membrane technology in separation.
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series Membranes
spelling doaj-art-621111dfbe5f45f2a32934a9570eab022025-08-20T02:47:17ZengMDPI AGMembranes2077-03752025-07-0115721110.3390/membranes15070211Covalent Organic Framework Membranes for Ion Separation: A ReviewYutong Lou0Zhanyong Wang1Wanbei Yang2Shuchen Lang3Jiaxing Fan4Qiaomei Ke5Rui Wang6Zhen Zhang7Wentao Chen8Jian Xue9Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Green Chemical Product Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, ChinaEnvironmental Radiation Monitoring and Nuclear Emergency Response Technical Support Center of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou 510300, ChinaGuangdong Provincial Key Lab of Green Chemical Product Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, ChinaGuangdong Provincial Key Lab of Green Chemical Product Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, ChinaGuangdong Provincial Key Lab of Green Chemical Product Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, ChinaGuangdong Provincial Key Lab of Green Chemical Product Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, ChinaGuangdong Provincial Key Lab of Green Chemical Product Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, ChinaEnvironmental Radiation Monitoring and Nuclear Emergency Response Technical Support Center of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou 510300, ChinaEnvironmental Radiation Monitoring and Nuclear Emergency Response Technical Support Center of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou 510300, ChinaGuangdong Provincial Key Lab of Green Chemical Product Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, ChinaCovalent organic framework (COF) membranes have garnered significant attention in ion separation due to their high surface area, tunable pore size, excellent stability, and diverse functional groups. Over the past decade, various synthesis methods, such as solvothermal synthesis, interfacial synthesis, microwave-assisted solvothermal synthesis, and in situ growth, have been developed to fabricate COF membranes. COF membranes have demonstrated remarkable ion separation performance in different separation processes driven by pressure, electric field, and vapor pressure difference, showing great potential in a wide range of applications. Nevertheless, challenges in the synthesis and application of COF membranes still remain, requiring further research to fully realize their potential in ion separation. This review critically examines the development of COF membranes, from synthesis methods to ion separation applications. We evaluate the advantages and limitations of various synthesis techniques and systematically summarize COF membrane performance based on separation driving forces. Finally, we present a critical analysis of current challenges and offer perspectives on promising future research directions for advancing COF membrane technology in separation.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/15/7/211covalent organic frameworksmembranesion separationpermeabilityselectivity
spellingShingle Yutong Lou
Zhanyong Wang
Wanbei Yang
Shuchen Lang
Jiaxing Fan
Qiaomei Ke
Rui Wang
Zhen Zhang
Wentao Chen
Jian Xue
Covalent Organic Framework Membranes for Ion Separation: A Review
Membranes
covalent organic frameworks
membranes
ion separation
permeability
selectivity
title Covalent Organic Framework Membranes for Ion Separation: A Review
title_full Covalent Organic Framework Membranes for Ion Separation: A Review
title_fullStr Covalent Organic Framework Membranes for Ion Separation: A Review
title_full_unstemmed Covalent Organic Framework Membranes for Ion Separation: A Review
title_short Covalent Organic Framework Membranes for Ion Separation: A Review
title_sort covalent organic framework membranes for ion separation a review
topic covalent organic frameworks
membranes
ion separation
permeability
selectivity
url https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/15/7/211
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