Development of Mixed Matrix Membranes with Penetrating Subnanochannels for Efficient Molecule/Ion Separation

Abstract Membrane‐based separation technologies are becoming increasingly prominent in many important industrial separation applications. In the past decade, nanoporous materials, as promising filler components for high‐performance mixed matrix membranes (MMMs), have seen a boom given the merits of remarkable chemical and structural variability. However, it remains challenging to address the trade‐off effect of MMMs between molecular/ionic selectivity and permeability. Biological ion channels that penetrate through cell membranes have provided new insights for the construction of novel structures of MMMs. In recent years, MMMs with cell membrane‐like structures have gained much attention and achieved significant progress in the field of separation. In this minireview, recent advances in the design and construction of MMMs with penetrating subnanochannels are summarized. After that, the applications of these MMMs with penetrating subnanochannels in gas separation and ion sieving are highlighted and discussed in detail. Finally, the future developments and challenges for the MMMs with penetrating subnanochannels are prospected.