Responsive Metal-organic Framework Glass Membranes for Molecular Sieving

金属有机骨架材料是一类重要的微孔材料，具有特殊的结构和化学性质。最近发现它们的熔融行为赋予这些材料高加工性，使晶体粉末转化为机械耐用的微孔块状玻璃用于设备组装。该项目旨在了解熔融和改性机制，并将响应部分纳入玻璃。其进一步旨在实现用于气体混合物的可切换膜分离。该项目有望提高对这些新兴玻璃材料的理解和应用，并促进澳大利亚在金属矿物增值制造方面的能力。

Metal-organic frameworks are an important category of microporous materials, showing extraordinary structural and chemical diversities. The recent discovery of their melting behaviours endows these materials with high processability, enabling the transformation of crystal powders into mechanically durable microporous bulk glasses for device assembly. This project aims to understand the melting and modification mechanism, and to incorporate responsive moieties to the glass. It further aims to realise switchable membrane separation for gas mixtures. This project is expected to enhance the understanding and application of these emerging glass materials and promote Australia’s capability in value-added manufacturing of metal minerals.