Fast‐current‐driven synthesis of ultrathin ZIF‐8 membrane on ceramic tube for propene/propane separation

Abstract MOF membranes are very promising in molecular separation, but it is still a challenge for industrial applications due to the complex and time‐consuming synthesis. We use the fast current‐driven synthesis (FCDS) method to achieve controlled growth of ZIF‐8 membranes on porous graphite‐coated ceramic tubes by controlling the growth time and current density. Grown for 30 min at a current density of 0.74 mA/cm 2 , the ZIF‐8 membrane exhibits selectivity for C 3 H 6 /C 3 H 8 up to 63 with C 3 H 6 permeance of 6 × 10 −9 mol/(m 2 s Pa). Furthermore, the ZIF‐8 membrane exhibits a pressure resistance of up to 3 bar and good stability of ~96 h. This work realizes the breakthrough of the MOF membrane synthesis via FCDS method from the frequently‐used expensive and fragile anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) disc substrate to the tough ceramic tubular substrate, which broadens the road for the industrialization of MOF membranes in gas separation fields.