Design and application of metal–organic framework membranes for gas and liquid separations

Membrane-based separation techniques have attracted multidisciplinary attention due to their low energy consumption, low pollution and high efficiency properties. Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) are considered to be promising membrane candidates due to their tunable porous structure, large specific surface area, adjustable pore size, uniformly distributed metal centers and abundant functional groups. In this review, recent researches on controlled strategies for MOF membranes synthesis and their applications in gas and liquid separations are summarized. The synthesis strategies of MOF membranes involved layer-by-layer growth method, electrochemical synthesis, in-situ growth and other novelty methods. The advantages and disadvantages are carefully reviewed and compared. The applications and related separation mechanisms of MOF membranes in gas separation (i.e., C3H6/C3H8, H2/CO2, H2/CH4, N2/CH4) and liquid separation (i.e., ion separation, seawater desalination, organic solvent purification) are discussed individually. Finally, challenges and future perspective are pointed out. This review is expected to provide an insight view for the production and applications of highly efficient MOF membranes in gas and liquid separations.