Wettability switchable metal-organic framework membranes for pervaporation of water/ethanol mixtures

To evaluate the effect of MOF surface wettability for the purification of ethanol from water/ethanol mixtures, the hydrophilic Ni2(l-asp)2bipy membrane is switched to hydrophobic Ni2(l-asp)2[email protected] membrane via vapor deposition of PDMS. The PDMS coating can improve the hydrothermal stability of MOF membranes. The stable Ni2(l-asp)2bipy membrane exhibits a high flux of H2O and acceptable separation factor. The pervaporation studies based on the both two membranes provide insight into the effect of surface wettability on the bio-ethanol purification performance.