Reverse filling approach to mixed matrix covalent organic framework membranes for gas separation

Abstract Mixed-matrix membranes that combine the merits of polymer and filler materials offer high potential for molecular separations, but precisely engineering the filler phase structure to give full play to the role of filler materials remains challenging. Herein, we explore a reverse-filling app...

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Main Authors: Zheyuan Guo, Wenping Li, Hong Wu, Li Cao, Shuqing Song, Xiaohui Ma, Jiafu Shi, Yanxiong Ren, Tong Huang, Yonghong Li, Zhongyi Jiang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-04-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-56770-5
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author Zheyuan Guo
Wenping Li
Hong Wu
Li Cao
Shuqing Song
Xiaohui Ma
Jiafu Shi
Yanxiong Ren
Tong Huang
Yonghong Li
Zhongyi Jiang
author_facet Zheyuan Guo
Wenping Li
Hong Wu
Li Cao
Shuqing Song
Xiaohui Ma
Jiafu Shi
Yanxiong Ren
Tong Huang
Yonghong Li
Zhongyi Jiang
author_sort Zheyuan Guo
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Mixed-matrix membranes that combine the merits of polymer and filler materials offer high potential for molecular separations, but precisely engineering the filler phase structure to give full play to the role of filler materials remains challenging. Herein, we explore a reverse-filling approach to fabricate mixed-matrix membranes with continuous and vertically penetrating covalent organic framework channels for CO2 separation. Covalent organic framework nanosheets as building blocks are pre-assembled into a robust and vertically oriented covalent organic framework scaffold via ice templating method, with the subsequent polyimide filling into the scaffold. The scaffold inherits the intrinsic CO2-philic pore structure of nanosheets, which serves as fast and selective CO2 transport channels in the membrane. The resulting membrane exhibits high CO2 permeability of 972 Barrer and CO2/CH4 selectivity of 58, along with long-term stability and scale-up capability. This approach may stimulate the thinking about how to design advanced mixed-matrix membranes.
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issn 2041-1723
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publishDate 2025-04-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
record_format Article
series Nature Communications
spelling doaj-art-c76c50f7e801430693e4fe73c3ed2c152025-08-20T02:17:50ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-04-011611910.1038/s41467-025-56770-5Reverse filling approach to mixed matrix covalent organic framework membranes for gas separationZheyuan Guo0Wenping Li1Hong Wu2Li Cao3Shuqing Song4Xiaohui Ma5Jiafu Shi6Yanxiong Ren7Tong Huang8Yonghong Li9Zhongyi Jiang10Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin UniversityKey Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin UniversityKey Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin UniversityKey Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin UniversityKey Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin UniversityKey Laboratory of Advanced Ceramics and Machining Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin UniversityHaihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical TransformationsKey Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin UniversityState Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech UniversityKey Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin UniversityKey Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin UniversityAbstract Mixed-matrix membranes that combine the merits of polymer and filler materials offer high potential for molecular separations, but precisely engineering the filler phase structure to give full play to the role of filler materials remains challenging. Herein, we explore a reverse-filling approach to fabricate mixed-matrix membranes with continuous and vertically penetrating covalent organic framework channels for CO2 separation. Covalent organic framework nanosheets as building blocks are pre-assembled into a robust and vertically oriented covalent organic framework scaffold via ice templating method, with the subsequent polyimide filling into the scaffold. The scaffold inherits the intrinsic CO2-philic pore structure of nanosheets, which serves as fast and selective CO2 transport channels in the membrane. The resulting membrane exhibits high CO2 permeability of 972 Barrer and CO2/CH4 selectivity of 58, along with long-term stability and scale-up capability. This approach may stimulate the thinking about how to design advanced mixed-matrix membranes.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-56770-5
spellingShingle Zheyuan Guo
Wenping Li
Hong Wu
Li Cao
Shuqing Song
Xiaohui Ma
Jiafu Shi
Yanxiong Ren
Tong Huang
Yonghong Li
Zhongyi Jiang
Reverse filling approach to mixed matrix covalent organic framework membranes for gas separation
Nature Communications
title Reverse filling approach to mixed matrix covalent organic framework membranes for gas separation
title_full Reverse filling approach to mixed matrix covalent organic framework membranes for gas separation
title_fullStr Reverse filling approach to mixed matrix covalent organic framework membranes for gas separation
title_full_unstemmed Reverse filling approach to mixed matrix covalent organic framework membranes for gas separation
title_short Reverse filling approach to mixed matrix covalent organic framework membranes for gas separation
title_sort reverse filling approach to mixed matrix covalent organic framework membranes for gas separation
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-56770-5
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