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Mixed Matrix Membranes (MMMs) with hybrid organic-inorganic characteristics offer a strong alternative to traditional polymer-based membranes to reduce the trade-off between gas permeability and selectivity. This work incorporated lanthanum-Metal Organic Frameworks in the Matrimid to fabricate MMMs. To understand the effects of nano-filler on membranes' morphology, porosity, thermal stability, and chemical composition, MMMs were fabricated with three different loadings of nano-filler, i.e., 10, 20 and 30 wt%. The selectivity and permeability of CH 4 , CO 2 , and N 2 gases through MMMs were investigated at 10 bar pressure and temperatures ranging from 25 to 55 °C. All MMMs exhibited enhanced CO 2 permeation with increased nano-filler loading because the porous nano-filler provided additional channels and fractional free volume in the polymer matrix. The 30 wt% loaded membrane showed a 183% increase in permeability of CO 2 than neat membrane. With increasing nano-filler loading, the selectivity of MMMs increased from 34.1 to 48.45 for CO 2 /N 2 and from 36.2 to 54.67 for CO 2 /CH 4 , confirming the absence of membrane defects, improved filler/polymer interface, and excellent dispersion of nano-filler in the polymer matrix. The results proved that these membranes could be further used for gas separation industrial applications., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

In this study, a facile and extensible one pot approach was utilized to synthesize ionic liquid inside a porous metal organic framework (UiO-66). Different characterization techniques were used to confirm the successful synthesis of UiO-66@IL composite. The MMMs were characterized and tested for CO 2 separation from CH 4 or N 2 at ambient and elevated temperatures. SEM images exhibited well dispersion of the filler particles with no notable defect even at high loadings. Single and mixed gas permeation results indicated significant performance (CO 2 permeability: 143 Barrer and CO 2 /CH 4 , CO 2 /N 2 selectivity: 28.32, 61.11 respectively) by enhancing the permeability of CO 2 by 74% and selectivity to 31% and 26% for CO 2 /CH 4 and CO 2 /N 2 compared with neat Pebax®1657 membrane., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Heavy metals presence in the potable water is a terrible dilemma notably for emergent countries and could be carcinogenic. Currently, interfacial polymerization (IP) was applied for the production of thin film nanocomposite forward osmosis (TFN-FO) membrane using polyacrylonitrile support. For this purpose, Zn (II)-imidazole metal Organic framework (MOF) was employed as a nanofiller into polymeric membranes this modification was found useful for the removal of heavy metals. Different characterization techniques like scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses were used for the assessment of morphology, elemental arrangement, functional groups and crystalline nature of the prepared FO membrane. It was observed that synthesized Zn-MOF based FO membrane displays high water flux by increasing the number of pores in the membrane. Additionally, this particular FO membrane was custom-made for lower reverse solute flux and concentration polarization. This ensures minimum withdrawal of salt from the draw solution (DS) to the feed solution (FS). So, the prepared Zn-MOF based FO membrane produce synergistic outcomes for the removal of metals and this strategy could possibly be used as novel way for removal of toxic pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CO2 emission from anthropogenic sources has raised worldwide environmental concerns and hence proficient energy paradigm has tilted towards CO2 capture. Membrane technology is one of the efficient technologies for CO2 separation since it is environmentally friendly, inexpensive, and offers high surface areas. Various approaches are discussed to improve membrane performance focusing mainly on permeability and selectivity parameters. Different types of fillers are incorporated to reach the Robeson's upper bound curve. In this review, polymer‐inorganic nanocomposite membranes for the separation of CO2, CH4, and N2 from various gas mixtures are comprehensively discussed. Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) and ionic liquid (ILs) mixed‐matrix membranes are also considered. Membrane technology is considered as an efficient, environmentally friendly, and inexpensive technology for CO2 separation. Various approaches to improve membrane performance are reviewed with the focus on permeability and selectivity parameters. Polymer‐inorganic nanocomposite membranes, metal organic frameworks, and ionic liquid mixed‐matrix membranes are also discussed and evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Selection of good filler-polymer pair results in improved gas separation performances. Present study deals with fabrication of Matrimid based hybrid or mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) by using three weight loadings (10, 20 and 30 wt. %) of 1D rod shaped nanoporous [Pr(BTC)(H2O)6] metal organic framework (MOF). The fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometric analysis indicated the bonding of lanthanide metal ion with the linker and thus formation of the MOF, and further revealed that the structure of MOF remained intact after incorporation into the polymer matrix. Powder X-ray (PXRD) analysis revealed purity and crystallinity of the MOF while the PXRD results for the MMMs indicated that crystallinity of the MOF remained unaffected after fabrication of the MMMs. The Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results gave an indication of the formation of the MOF in same morphology as it is previously reported. Additionally, nice distribution and well adherence of the additive particles throughout the polymer matrix was observed while the interfacial voids were visibly absent. The MOF and the MMMs were thermally stable and crystallinity of MOF particles remained intact after dispersion into polymer matrix. The Brunauer Emmett Teller (BET) surface area of the MOF was also obtained that indicated its permanent porosity. The prepared MMMs were flexible enough to handle for all analysis. These findings led to conclude that a proper polymerfiller pair was made that produced defect free MMMs. The prepared MMMs can be evaluated in future for their performance towards separation of different gases after modification of the pore of the filler. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Novel MOF, BIT-72, was synthesized and modified by plasma of N 2 and O 2. • MMM were fabricated with BIT-72 and plasma modified BIT-72. • CO 2 /CH 4 and CO 2 /N 2 selectivity of 30.96 and 56.28 was achieved respectively with BIT-72 MMM. • CO 2 /CH 4 and CO 2 /N 2 selectivity was enhanced to 43.07 and 72.64 respectively with N 2 -BIT-72 MMM. • CO 2 /CH 4 and CO 2 /N 2 selectivity was enhanced to 37.28 and 66.21 respectively with O 2 -BIT-72 MMM. Gas separation membranes are a key development in eradication of harmful greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO 2). Different strategies have been utilized to enhance membrane performance and to overcome their drawbacks. In this study a unique approach has been utilized to enhance membrane performance. Initially mixed matrix membranes (MMM) were fabricated with a novel metal-organic framework (MOF), namely BIT-72 incorporated in Pebax®1657 matrix. At 30% loading of BIT-72, CO 2 /CH 4 and CO 2 /N 2 selectivities of 30.96 and 56.28 were achieved respectively with CO 2 permeability of 139 Barrer. To further enhance the performance of the MMM, BIT-72 was treated with plasma of N 2 or O 2 gases to prepare MMMs with same polymer (N 2 -BIT-72 MMM and O 2 -BIT-72 MMM, respectively). As a result, CO 2 /CH 4 and CO 2 /N 2 selectivity was enhanced to 43.07 and 72.64 respectively for N 2 plasma treated BIT-72 MMM (CO 2 permeability 146 Barrer) and for O 2 plasma treated BIT-72 MMM (CO 2 permeability 145 Barrer) CO 2 /CH 4 and CO 2 /N 2 selectivity was increased to 37.28 and 66.21 respectively. Plasma modified BIT-72 MMM showed promising results for further applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Preparation of new types of MMMs based on Polysulfone and SO 3 -H functionalized UiO-66. • Good adhesion and dispersion of the fillers within the polymer matrix. • Simultaneous increase in gas permeability and selectivity with increase in the MOF content. Functionalized mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) have the potential to upgrade the separation performance of conventional polymeric membranes while as yet keeping their processing benefits and lower costs. This study investigated the highly stable zirconium based metal-organic framework UiO-66 functionalized with sulfonic group, which was grafted by silane coupling agent mercaptopropyl trimethoxysilane. Sulfonic group imparted high separation properties to UiO-66. Polysulfone (PSf) was used as a polymer matrix and MMMs were synthesized for non-functionalized and functionalized UiO-66; and their results were compared. The characterization and permeation results ascribed that functionalized UiO-66 adhered well with the PSf matrix. The results demonstrated that increasing sulfonic group concentration resulted in higher selectivities owing to their high affinity towards CO 2 gas molecules. The MMMs exhibited high CO 2 permeabilities and selectivities under pure and mixed gas conditions; and proved this material promising for CO 2 separation. In order to evaluate the practical commercial viability of these MMMs, investigation was conducted under different temperatures and compared with existing literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • MMMs based on PDMS and ZIF-67 nano-fillers. • Good dispersion of the functionalized fillers in the polymer matrix. • Significant increase in permeability and retention was obtained. Abstract Zeolitic imidazole frameworks (ZIFs), a subclass of metal organic frameworks (MOFs), are composed of metal ions linked by organic ligands which offer an exceptionally high surface area and appealing separation potential. In this study, mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) were prepared using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) as a hydrophobic polymer and ZIF-67 as inorganic filler particle. ZIF-67 particles and MMMs were characterized by XRD, SEM, FTIR, BET and contact angle measurements. The prepared membranes were tested for the separation of ethanol/water mixtures via pervaporation. Compared to unfilled PDMS membranes, MMMs loaded with 20 wt% ZIF-67 showed an increase in flux and a doubled separation factor. The easy synthesis of ZIF-67 and its enhanced separation performance make ZIF-67 an attractive candidate to prepare MMMs for a variety of membrane applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]