Accessing accelerated molecular diffusion by nanopore alignment in a MOF thin film. Issue 8 (15th July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Malik, Pratibha; Haldar, Ritesh
• Is Part Of: Molecular Systems Design and Engineering. Volume 7:Issue 8(2022)
• Page Start: 873
• Page End: 877
• Publication Date: 2022-07-15
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Molecular aspects -- Periodicals; Chemical engineering -- Molecular aspects -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; 620.5
• DOI: 10.1039/d2me00091a
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2058-9689

Abstract

Abstract : By aligning the pore orientation in the ZIF-8 thin film molecular transport diffusivity could be enhanced by 2-fold as compared to a mixed orientation ZIF-8 thin film. Abstract : Molecular diffusion through a porous membrane can be accelerated by adjusting the nanopore windows and channels along the diffusion path, i.e., across the membrane thickness. We evaluated this process in a zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-8) thin film. For the pore windows that were orthogonal to the plane of the thin film (membrane), we could realize a higher methanol vapour diffusivity (∼2×) with a lower energy of activation (∼3×), compared to a mixed-oriented ZIF-8 thin film. The variation in the diffusivities enhanced the structural isomer (1 and 2-propanol) selectivities (>7×), as indicated by vapour-phase and mass uptake studies using quartz crystal microbalance.