A MOFs-Based mixed-matrix membrane with improved chemical stability and robust mechanical properties

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) based mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs) have exhibited unique superiority in various fields from gas separation to chemical sensing. However, their mechanical property and stability has not been fully explored yet, which was essential for further practical application. Herein, MOFs-based MMMs (ZIF-8@PU MMMs) with robust mechanical property and improved chemical stability were prepared through one-pot synthesis strategy by adding ZIF-8 nanoparticles with the monomers of polyurea (PU) during polymerization. Compared with intrinsic fragile and rigid characteristics of pure MOFs crystals films, these MMMs were flexible and free-standing. Importantly, the ZIF-8@PU MMMs exhibited improved mechanical properties compared with pure PU, and the chemical stability especially in acid environments was enhanced owing to the protection from the hydrophobic chain of polymers. This work demonstrated this one-pot strategy was feasible to fabricate homogeneous dispersed MOFs-based MMMs with improved mechanical property and chemical stability. This study was anticipated to accelerate the implementation of MOFs materials for industrialized applications.