Flexible and Robust Three-Dimensional Covalent Organic Framework Membranes for Precise Separations under Extreme Conditions

Abstract

Membranes based on covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have demonstrated huge potential to resolve the long-standing bottlenecks in separation fields due to their structural and functional attributes. Herein, a three-dimensional COF featuring interpenetrated apertures, 3D-OH-COF, is rationally synthesized on polyimide supports to generate flexible, robust membranes. The resultant 3D-OH-COF presents excellent crystallinity, prominent porosity, and exceptional solvent resistance, enabling the produced membrane a sharp and durable selectivity to small molecules in water and organic solvents. Impressively, the membrane also exhibits excellent flexibility and robustness as verified by the well-maintained performances after serious bending and solvent soaking under elevated temperatures. We further chemically convert 3D-OH-COF into the carboxyl-decorated 3D-COOH-COF by a postsynthetic strategy. The 3D-COOH-COF retains high crystallinity, and the converted membrane receives a remarkable capture ability for targeted multivalent ions over other competing ions. This study exploits a viable avenue to produce practical 3D COF membranes toward ultimate separations under extreme conditions.