Polycage membranes for precise molecular separation and catalysis

Xiang Li, Weibin Lin, Vivekanand Sharma, Radoslaw Gorecki, Munmun Ghosh, Basem A. Moosa, Sandra Aristizabal, Shanshan Hong, Niveen M. Khashab () and Suzana P. Nunes ()
Additional contact information
Xiang Li: Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division (BESE)
Weibin Lin: Advanced Membranes and Porous Materials (AMPM) Center
Vivekanand Sharma: Advanced Membranes and Porous Materials (AMPM) Center
Radoslaw Gorecki: Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division (BESE)
Munmun Ghosh: Advanced Membranes and Porous Materials (AMPM) Center
Basem A. Moosa: Advanced Membranes and Porous Materials (AMPM) Center
Sandra Aristizabal: Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division (BESE)
Shanshan Hong: Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division (BESE)
Niveen M. Khashab: Advanced Membranes and Porous Materials (AMPM) Center
Suzana P. Nunes: Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division (BESE)

Nature Communications, 2023, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract The evolution of the chemical and pharmaceutical industry requires effective and less energy-intensive separation technologies. Engineering smart materials at a large scale with tunable properties for molecular separation is a challenging step to materialize this goal. Herein, we report thin film composite membranes prepared by the interfacial polymerization of porous organic cages (POCs) (RCC3 and tren cages). Ultrathin crosslinked polycage selective layers (thickness as low as 9.5 nm) are obtained with high permeance and strict molecular sieving for nanofiltration. A dual function is achieved by combining molecular separation and catalysis. This is demonstrated by impregnating the cages with highly catalytically active Pd nanoclusters ( ~ 0.7 nm). While the membrane promotes a precise molecular separation, its catalytic activity enables surface self-cleaning, by reacting with any potentially adsorbed dye and recovering the original performance. This strategy opens opportunities for the development of other smart membranes combining different functions and well-tailored abilities.

Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38728-7

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