In-situ cross-linking and shear-driven coating enable defect-free tubular ZIF-8 membranes toward efficient C3H6/C3H8 separation

Luogang Wu, Jingxian Hua, Yawei Gu, Jian Sun, Qian Wang, Lixiong Zhang, Haiqian Lian, Yichang Pan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Eliminating potential defects is crucial for making tubular ZIF-8 (T-ZIF-8) membranes widely adopted in chemical process industries. However, the geometric restriction of the inner T-ZIF-8 membrane and the high viscosity of cross-linked PDMS solution pose challenges in uniform polymer deposition and interfacial adhesion that traditional dip-coating methods may not effectively address. Herein, we propose an in-situ cross-linking and rolling coating (ISCL&RC) strategy to overcome these challenges. During the rolling coating process, the PDMS solution gradually solidifies on the surface of the T-ZIF-8 membrane under the shear force induced by gravity, forming a PDMS coating with uniform thickness. The in-situ cross-linking allows the low-viscosity PDMS solution to adequately infiltrate the surface of the T-ZIF-8 membrane, forming a desirable interface. Compared with the pristine T-ZIF-8 membrane, the T-ZIF-8/PDMS membrane demonstrates remarkable improvement in C3H6/C3H8 separation selectivity (2.6–18.5 times higher than the unmodified membrane), while the C3H6 permeance remains nearly unchanged. Notably, the T-ZIF-8/PDMS membrane sustains coating integrity under high pressure and industrial raw gas for 780 h without exhibiting bubbling or delamination. This work establishes a paradigm for defect engineering in confined tubular membrane systems, effectively bridging the gap between laboratory-scale synthesis and industrial module fabrication.

Original languageEnglish
Article number124010
JournalJournal of Membrane Science
Volume725
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2025

Keywords

  • CH/CH separation
  • Defect
  • In situ cross-linking
  • PDMS coating
  • Tubular ZIF-8 membrane

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