Mixed-Matrix Composite Membranes Based on UiO-66-Derived MOFs for CO2 Separation

We demonstrated a novel mixed-matrix composite membrane (MMCM) based on acrylated polyurethane (APU) and UiO-66 nanoparticles to separate CO2 /N-2 mixture. UiO-66 and functionalized UiO-66 including NH2-UiO-66 and glycidyl methacrylate (GMA)-UiO-66 were loaded into APU/2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (APUH) matrix at variable concentrations between 3 and 30 wt %. APUH/GMA-UiO-66 MMCMs exhibited strong adhesion with a support layer of polyester/polysulfone, which was not deteriorated after immersion in water for a long time (20 days). Incorporation of UiO-66 and its functionalized forms increased simultaneously permeability and CO2/N-2 selectivity, which were indeed superior in comparison with those of MMCMs reported previously. GMA-UiO66-filled MMCM displayed a CO2 permeance of 14.5 Barrer and a CO2 /N-2 selectivity of 53 at a critical concentration (25 wt %). This attractive separation performance of APUH/UiO-66 offered an exciting platform for the development of composite membranes for sustainable CO2 separations.