Step-by-Step Seeding Procedure for Preparing HKUST-1 Membrane on Porous α-Alumina Support

• Published in: Langmuir Vol. 27; no. 8; pp. 4309 - 4312
• Main Authors: Nan, Jiangpu, Dong, Xueliang, Wang, Wenjin, Jin, Wanqin, Xu, Nanping
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Chemical Society 19.04.2011
• Subjects: Aluminum Oxide - chemistry; Chemistry; Colloidal state and disperse state; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; Membranes; Membranes, Artificial; Organometallic Compounds - chemistry; Permeability; Porosity; Porous materials; Metal organic framework; Atomic force microscopy; Binary compound; Separation; Support; Growth; In situ; Permeation; Ultraviolet absorption; Porous material; Hydrothermal growth; Preparation; Membrane; Alumina
• ISSN: 0743-7463; 1520-5827
• DOI: 10.1021/la200103w

Metal−organic framework (MOF) membranes have attracted considerable attention because of their striking advantages in small-molecule separation. The preparation of an integrated MOF membrane is still a major challenge. Depositing a uniform seed layer on a support for secondary growth is a main route to obtaining an integrated MOF membrane. A novel seeding method to prepare HKUST-1 (known as Cu3(btc)2) membranes on porous α-alumina supports is reported. The in situ production of the seed layer was realized in step-by-step fashion via the coordination of H3btc and Cu2+ on an α-alumina support. The formation process of the seed layer was observed by ultraviolet−visible absorption spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. An integrated HKUST-1 membrane could be synthesized by the secondary hydrothermal growth on the seeded support. The gas permeation performance of the membrane was evaluated.