On July 15, the collaborative research team led by Professor Han Yu from SCUT Center for Electron Microscopy and Professor Zhou Sheng from The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) published their findings on gas separation membranes in Nature. The paper, entitledScalable quasi-pure MOF membranes for energy-efficient gas separations”. This marks the Center’s seventh paper published in Nature or Science over the past three years. Notably, the center has also published multiple papers in Nature series journals.

The team introduced the concept of “quasi-pure MOF membranes”. Building on this concept, the team processed MOF crystals into two-dimensional oriented nanosheets and incorporated molecular anchoring agents to develop separation membranes with an MOF content exceeding 90%, thereby overcoming key challenges associated with conventional mixed-matrix membranes, including limited filler loading, interfacial defects, and challenges in scalability. The resulting membranes enable efficient olefin separation, CO₂ capture, and hydrogen purification. Notably, the ZIF-67 membrane demonstrated excellent performance in separating propylene from propane and was successfully fabricated through large-area roll-to-roll continuous manufacturing, highlighting significant potential for industrial application.

Leveraging low-dose, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the team from the SCUT Center for Electron Microscopy directly visualized the high crystallinity and ordered pore structure of MOF nanosheets at the atomic scale. This provided crucial microscopic evidence for the mechanisms underlying material performance, underscoring the Center’s unique advantages in characterizing electron-beam-sensitive porous materials.

Source from SCUT News