Aqueous Phase Synthesis of ZIF-8 Membrane with Controllable Location on an Asymmetrically Porous Polymer Substrate

Abstract

In this study, we have demonstrated a simple, scalable, and environmentally friendly route for controllable fabrication of continuous, well-intergrown ZIF-8 on a flexible polymer substrate via contra-diffusion method in conjunction with chemical vapor modification of the polymer surface. The combined chemical vapor modification and contra-diffusion method resulted in controlled formation of a thin, defect-free, and robust ZIF-8 layer on one side of the support in aqueous solution at room temperature. The ZIF-8 membrane exhibited propylene permeance of 1.50 × 10-8 mol m-2 s-1 Pa-1 and excellent selective permeation properties; after post heat-treatment, the membrane showed ideal selectivities..