Cross-Linking between Sodalite Nanoparticles and Graphene Oxide in Composite Membranes to Trigger High Gas Permeance, Selectivity, and Stability in Hydrogen Separation.

Thin membranes (900 nm) were prepared by direct transformation of infiltrated amorphous precursor nanoparticles, impregnated in a graphene oxide (GO) matrix, into hydroxy sodalite (SOD) nanocrystals. The amorphous precursor particles rich in silanols (Si-OH) enhanced the interactions with the GO, thus leading to the formation of highly adhesive and stable SOD/GO membranes via strong bonding. The cross-linking of SOD nanoparticles with the GO in the membranes promoted both the high gas permeance and enhanced selectivity towards H2 from a mixture containing CO2 and H2 O. The SOD/GO membranes are moisture resistance and exhibit steady separation performance (H2 permeance of about 4900 GPU and H2 /CO2 selectivity of 56, with no degradation in performance during the test of 50 h) at high temperature (200 °C) under water vapor (4 mol %).

Fabrication of a Hydrogen-Bonded Organic Framework Membrane through Solution Processing for Pressure-Regulated Gas Separation.

Ordered and flexible porous frameworks with solution processability are highly desirable to fabricate continuous and large-scale membranes for the efficient gas separation. Herein, the first microporous hydrogen-bonded organic framework (HOF) membrane has been fabricated by an optimized solution-processing technique. The framework exhibits the superior stability because of the abundant hydrogen bonds and strong π-π interactions. Thanks to the flexible HOF structure, the membrane possesses the unprecedented pressure-responsive H2 /N2 separation performance. Furthermore, the scratched membrane can be healed by the treatment of solvent vapor, achieving the recovery of separation performance.