MOFs meet membrane: application in water treatment and separation

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are a class of solid crystalline materials formed by the self-assembly of organic ligands and metal ions or clusters through coordination bonds. Owing to their intrinsic rich chemical composition, large specific surface area, diverse topology, tunable pore channels and good thermal stability, MOFs are favored in many applications. In particular, MOFs are considered to be viable membrane-based separation materials based on their unique advantages in the adsorption of specific chemicals. Research into MOF-based membrane-preparation methods and separation applications is flourishing, and MOF-based membranes have achieved marvellous achievements in the field of gas separation and liquid separation. This review first introduces the general criteria for selecting MOFs for separation applications. Then, we specifically describe how to prepare MOF-based membranes as well as the specific classification of MOF hybrid membranes, and finally describe the application of MOF-based membranes in water treatment. Most of all, the opportunities and challenges of MOF membranes in industrial applications are outlined.