Gas Separation via Hybrid Metal-Organic Framework/Polymer Membranes

Hybrid membranes assembled from a polymeric matrix and an inorganic filler are considered one of the most promising membranes for energy-efficient gas separations due to their high performance and low-cost fabrication. Rigid polymer matrices often exhibit lasting porosity and consequently have been gradually employed to fabricate separation membranes of high permeance. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a key class of fillers that have fueled the exploration of advanced hybrid-membrane technologies for gas separation. In this short review, an evolutional pathway for more advanced MOF/polymer hybrid-membrane morphologies and their modules are highlighted along with state-of-the-art applications. Here, we address key issues such as selecting the appropriate MOF filler and polymer matrix, improving filler/matrix compatibility within hybrid membranes, and, most importantly, how to scale up MOF/polymer hybrid membranes efficiently and economically for large-scale industrial applications.