Recent advances in metal-organic framework-based mixed matrix membranes

Mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) combine easy processability and low cost of polymers with the high selectivity of nanoporous filler particles. These membranes represent an important avenue for enhancing the performance of polymeric membranes in gas separations. Recently, a new group of nanoporous materials called metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been used as filler particles in MMM applications, and significant improvements in gas selectivity and permeability have been reported for these MOF-based membranes. We discuss the recent developments in MOF-based MMMs by reviewing both the experimental studies and computational modeling methods that can accelerate selection of MOF/polymer combinations for high-performance gas separations. Trapped in the matrix: Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been recently used as filler particles in mixed matrix membranes (MMMs), and significant improvements have been reported for gas selectivity and gas permeability in these MOF-based membranes (see figure). This review covers the opportunities and challenges of MOF-based MMMs in gas-separation applications.