Engineering of the Filler/Polymer Interface in Metal-Organic Framework-Based Mixed-Matrix Membranes to Enhance Gas Separation

Traditional films cannot fully adapt to industrial applications and to intensified processes. Advanced mixed-matrix membranes comprising metal-organic frameworks (MOF) embedded in a polymer matrix have been developed with the goal of breaking the trade-off effect of traditional polymer membranes and achieving separation performance beyond Robeson's upper limit. The key challenges in the fabrication of MOF-based mixed-matrix membranes are an enhancement in compatibility between the inorganic filler and the polymer matrix, elimination of the irregular morphology and non-selective interfacial defects, and further improvement in the gas-separation performance. This review summarizes the recent advances in protocols and strategies in terms of designing interfacial interactions to enhance the MOF/polymer interface compatibility. This review aims at providing some meaningful insights into preparing MOF-based mixed-matrix membranes targeting ideal interfacial morphology and leading to excellent gas-separation performance.