MOF membranes for enhanced gas separation: materials, mechanisms, and application prospects—a comprehensive survey

In recent decades, the development of advanced materials with high-performance capabilities for gas separation have become a prominent area of research. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as a potential platform for membrane-based gas separation owing to their unique structural characteristics including high porosity, strong adsorption capacity, and superior selectivity, which can be scaled up for industrial applications. This review aims to present the latest advancements in synthesizing and applying MOFs-based membranes for various gas separation purposes. Additionally, the gas separation and purification mechanisms utilized by MOFs-derived membranes have been extensively discussed. Furthermore, the impact of the nanostructure and composition of MOFs-based materials on gas separation efficiency and selectivity is revealed. The application prospects for MOFs-based membranes are substantial and diverse. These membranes can significantly enhance the efficiency of gas separation processes in various industries, including natural gas purification, hydrogen production, carbon capture, and air separation. For instance, in the energy sector, efficient CO₂ separation using MOF membranes can contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing the sustainability of fossil fuel usage. In hydrogen production, MOF membranes can improve the separation efficiency between hydrogen and other gases, thereby promoting cleaner energy sources. Overall, this review serves as a foundation for developing advanced MOFs-based membranes, which are expected to play a significant role in enhancing gas separation and purification efficiency.