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Tunable molecular separation by nanoporous membranes

Author

Listed:
  • Zhengbang Wang

    (Institute of Functional Interfaces (IFG), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT))

  • Alexander Knebel

    (Institute for Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, Leibniz University Hanover)

  • Sylvain Grosjean

    (Soft Matter Synthesis Lab, Institute of Biological Interfaces 3 (IBG 3), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT))

  • Danny Wagner

    (Institute of Organic Chemistry (IOC), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT))

  • Stefan Bräse

    (Soft Matter Synthesis Lab, Institute of Biological Interfaces 3 (IBG 3), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
    Institute of Organic Chemistry (IOC), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
    Institute of Toxicology and Genetics (ITG), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT))

  • Christof Wöll

    (Institute of Functional Interfaces (IFG), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT))

  • Jürgen Caro

    (Institute for Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, Leibniz University Hanover)

  • Lars Heinke

    (Institute of Functional Interfaces (IFG), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT))

Abstract

Metal-organic frameworks offer tremendous potential for efficient separation of molecular mixtures. Different pore sizes and suitable functionalizations of the framework allow for an adjustment of the static selectivity. Here we report membranes which offer dynamic control of the selectivity by remote signals, thus enabling a continuous adjustment of the permeate flux. This is realized by assembling linkers containing photoresponsive azobenzene-side-groups into monolithic, crystalline membranes of metal-organic frameworks. The azobenzene moieties can be switched from the trans to the cis configuration and vice versa by irradiation with ultraviolet or visible light, resulting in a substantial modification of the membrane permeability and separation factor. The precise control of the cis:trans azobenzene ratio, for example, by controlled irradiation times or by simultaneous irradiation with ultraviolet and visible light, enables the continuous tuning of the separation. For hydrogen:carbon-dioxide, the separation factor of this smart membrane can be steplessly adjusted between 3 and 8.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhengbang Wang & Alexander Knebel & Sylvain Grosjean & Danny Wagner & Stefan Bräse & Christof Wöll & Jürgen Caro & Lars Heinke, 2016. "Tunable molecular separation by nanoporous membranes," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-7, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:7:y:2016:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms13872
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms13872
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    Cited by:

    1. Timur Ashirov & Julya Stein Siena & Mengru Zhang & A. Ozgur Yazaydin & Markus Antonietti & Ali Coskun, 2022. "Fast light-switchable polymeric carbon nitride membranes for tunable gas separation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-11, December.

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