Air Separation by using Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs)/Polyimide Mixed Matrix Membranes at the Molecular Level

Air separation is an important process in industries like healthcare and aerospace, traditionally achieved through energy-intensive cryogenic distillation. To improve efficiency, this project will be focusing on developing mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs) combining metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with polyimide polymers for more effective air separation. Material solutions might offer a cost-effective alternative to current techniques. In this project, we will identify promising MOF/polyimide MMM that can efficiently separate oxygen from nitrogen at ambition conditions (298 K and 1 atm). Due to the large number of available MOFs in the literature, high-throughput computational screening will be performed to identify promising candidates. The best performing MOFs and polyimides will be combined into MMMs. The performance of MMMs in air separation will be computed to better understand their performances.
In this project, we will expect to develop MMMs that significantly improve air separation efficiency, reducing costs and energy consumption, and paving the way for more sustainable and accessible air separation technologies.
By introducing an innovative material solution, this project could enhance air separation processes in various industries, especially aerospace, leading to significant scientific, economic, and societal benefits.