Mixed-Matrix Membranes Integrating Metal-Organic Frameworks: Thermo-Mechanical Properties and Engineering Performance

含有纳米结构填料的聚合物复合膜在工业领域有许多潜在的应用。例如，从二氧化碳捕获和封存到氢净化等新兴技术，以及用于海水淡化和蒸汽回收系统，以及医疗设备和智能传感器。下一代混合基质膜（MMMs）包含多孔金属有机框架（mof），为mof的高选择性和化学可调节性与传统聚合物固有的易于加工和坚固性相结合提供了独特的机会。虽然这种mof -聚合物混合基质膜的开发还处于起步阶段，但最近已经发现了原型复合系统，其功能性能（特别是气/液渗透性和选择性）有了实质性的改善。在这个迅速发展的领域取得了很大进展。然而，关于其核心机械热性能和长期化学稳定性的许多重要问题仍有待解决；它的结构-功能-力学相关信息是稀缺的，迄今为止，膜结构的完整性（在静态或动态载荷下）还没有得到很好的理解。该项目将解决上述问题，建立对基础物理特性的准确认识，并确定控制新型膜结构和功能性能的微观机制。该研究将产生系统的结构功能关系，制定创新的方法和详细的材料模型描述，这将使新膜的预测、合理设计和工程成为可能。弹性复合膜具有改进的损伤容忍度和最佳功能，将使许多能源、环境和多功能技术受益于更广泛的公众。

Polymer composite membranes containing nanostructured fillers have many potential applications in industrial sectors. For example, in emergent technologies ranging from carbon dioxide capture and sequestration to hydrogen purification, and for use in water desalination and vapor recovery systems, as well as in medical devices and smart sensors. Next-generation mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs) which incorporate porous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), offer the unique opportunity for combining high selectivity and chemical tuneability of MOFs with the ease of processing and robustness intrinsic to conventional polymers. While the development of such MOF-polymer mixed-matrix membranes is in its infancy, there are already archetypal composite systems recently discovered that demonstrate substantial improvement in its functional performance (particularly gas/liquid permeability and selectivity properties). Much progress has been accomplished in this rapidly growing area. However, many important questions remain to be answered about its core mechanical-thermal properties and long-term chemical stability; its structure-function mechanical correlation information is scarce and, hitherto membrane structural integrity (under static or dynamic loading) is not well understood. This project will address the aforementioned problems, establishing an accurate knowledge of the underpinning physical properties, and pinpointing microscopic mechanisms that control the structural and functional performance of novel membranes. This research will yield systematic structure-function relationships, formulate innovative methodologies and detailed material model descriptions, which will enable prediction, rational design and engineering of new membranes. Resilient composite membranes featuring an improved damage tolerance coupled with optimal functionalities will enable many energy, environmental and multifunctional technologies benefitting the wider public.