Function-Led Design of Covalent-Organic-Framework Membranes for Precise Ion Separation

Insufficient access to clean water and resources has emerged as one of the most pressing issues affecting people globally. Membrane-based ion separation has become a focal point of research for the generation of fresh water and the extraction of energy elements. This Review encapsulates recent advancements in the selective ion transport of covalent organic framework (COF) membranes, accomplished by strategically pairing diverse monomers to create membranes with various pore sizes and environments for specific purposes. We first discuss the merits of using COF materials as a basis for fabricating membranes for ion separation. We then explore the development of COF membranes in areas such as desalination, acid recovery, and energy element extraction, with a particular emphasis on the fundamental principles of membrane design. Lastly, we address both theoretical and practical challenges, as well as potential opportunities in the targeted design of ion-selective membranes. The goal of this Review is to stimulate future investigative efforts in this field, which is of significant scientific and strategic importance. Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) with their customizable architectures and tunable pore functionalities present a significant potential to revolutionize membrane-based ion-separation processes. The focus of this Review is to offer a succinct, yet comprehensive discussion of how the unique features of COF membranes can be exploited in a range of ion-separation applications.+image

Automated summary

Insufficient access to clean water and resources is a pressing issue worldwide. Membrane-based ion separation, particularly using covalent organic framework (COF) membranes, has potential applications in desalination, acid recovery, and energy element extraction. This Review highlights the advantages of COF materials for membrane fabrication and discusses the fundamental principles of membrane design, as well as theoretical and practical challenges and potential opportunities in the targeted design of ion-selective membranes.