| Affiliation: | 1. School of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211 China These authors contributed equally to this work.;2. National Engineering Laboratory for Methanol to Olefins, Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, 116023 China;3. School of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211 China;4. Institute of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, Leibniz University Hannover, Callinstraße 3A, 30167 Hannover, Germany;5. School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287 USA |
| Abstract: | ZIF-8 membranes have emerged as the most promising candidate for propylene/propane (C3H6/C3H8) separation through its precise molecular sieving characteristics. The poor reproducibility and durability, and high cost, thus far hinder the scalable synthesis and industrial application of ZIF-8 membranes. Herein, we report a semi-solid process featuring ultrafast and high-yield synthesis, and outstanding scalability for reproducible fabrication of ZIF-8 membranes. The membranes show excellent C3H6/C3H8 separation performance in a wide temperature and pressure range, and remarkable stability over 6 months. The ZIF-8 membrane features dimethylacetamide entrapped ZIF-8 crystals retaining the same diffusion characteristics but offering enhanced adsorptive selectivity for C3H6/C3H8. The ZIF-8 membrane was prepared on a commercial flat-sheet ceramic substrate. A prototypical plate-and-frame membrane module with an effective membrane area of about 300 cm2 was used for efficient C3H6/C3H8 separation. |
