MIL-53 frameworks in mixed-matrix membranes

The MIL-53 metal organic framework (MOF) is known to change reversibly from an open-pore framework (MIL-53-ht) to a closed-pore framework (MIL-53-lt) depending on the temperature, pressure, or guest molecules absorbed. Three frameworks of the additive, MIL-53-as synthesized (MIL-53-as), MIL-53-ht, and MIL-53-lt, were prepared, characterized, and combined with Matrimid (R) to form mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs) for gas separations. The MIL-53-ht/Matrimid (R) MMMs exhibited higher values of permeability compared to Matrimid (R) as well as an increased CO2/CH4 selectivity suggesting that the open-pore MIL-53 framework was maintained in the polymer matrix. In addition to higher permeability values, MIL-53-as/Matrimid (R) MMMs showed higher selectivity for gas pairs with kinetic diameters differing by >= 0.5 angstrom, including H-2/O-2, CO2/CH4, H-2/CH4, and H-2/N-2, suggesting the presence of excess benzene dicarboxylic acid molecules within the pores that reduced its diameter enabling the material to discriminate between smaller and larger gases. MIL-53-lt did not retain its closed-pore form in the MMM. Rather, it irreversibly converted to the open-pore form (MIL-53-ht) due to the exchange of water present in the MIL-53 pores with chloroform solvent molecules during membrane casting and to pore penetration and confinement by Matrimid (R) polymer chains. This finding, that a polymer matrix stabilizes a MOF pore architecture within an MMM, is significant in that the desired selectivity of a MOF-MMM system may be achievable. (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.