Zeolite imidazolate framework (ZIF)‐based mixed matrix membranes for CO2 separation: A review

ABSTRACT Mixed matrix membranes (MMMs), which combine the good separation performance of inorganic materials with the low cost of polymers, have emerged as a research hotspot for gas separation membranes. Zeolite imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) are widely used as fillers to prepare MMMs owing to their advantageous characteristics, such as adjustable pore channels, unsaturated sites, and easy functionalization. For MMMs, three directions can be employed as criteria for improvement compared with pristine polymeric membranes. In this article, the progress of ZIF‐based MMMs is reviewed from the aspects of sole‐ZIF‐based MMMs and modified ZIF‐based MMMs. Both strategies improve the separation performance through different improvement directions and mechanisms. Our analysis shows that the synergistic effect of the modified filler can change the structure of the membranes, such as by improving the filler–polymer interface voids, which provides a foundation to overcome the trade‐off effect to a certain extent. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 137 , 48968.