Creating free standing covalent organic framework membranes by nanocrystal suturing in sol gel solutions

Yanpei Song, Qingju Wang, Errui Li, Tao Wang, Weitian Wang, Jun Li, Feng-Yuan Zhang, Bo Li, Jiang De-en, Yangyang Wang, Xiao Tong, Xiaoxiao Yu, Shannon M. Mahurin, Zhenzhen Yang () and Sheng Dai ()
Additional contact information
Yanpei Song: Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Qingju Wang: University of Tennessee
Errui Li: University of Tennessee
Tao Wang: Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Weitian Wang: University of Tennessee
Jun Li: University of Tennessee
Feng-Yuan Zhang: University of Tennessee
Bo Li: Vanderbilt University
Jiang De-en: Vanderbilt University
Yangyang Wang: Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Xiao Tong: Brookhaven National Laboratory
Xiaoxiao Yu: China University of Petroleum
Shannon M. Mahurin: Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Zhenzhen Yang: Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Sheng Dai: Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-14

Abstract: Abstract The sol-gel synthesis represents a versatile platform to fabricate ceramic inorganic membranes. However, it is still a grand challenge to push the boundary of sol-gel chemistry towards high-quality organic membrane construction. Herein, a facile and controlled nanocrystal suturing strategy in sol-gel solutions is developed to afford highly crystalline and free-standing covalent organic framework membranes. The key chemistry design lies in deploying tiny threads (1 mol% dual-NH2-tail linear polymer) to efficiently suture the highly charged covalent organic framework nanocrystals stabilized and confined in sol-gel solutions, creating a continuous and intact membrane surface. A subsequent treatment heals the sutured covalent organic framework nanocrystals, yielding a free-standing membrane with high crystallinity and ordered pores. The structure evolution and role of the thread linker are elucidated via operando spectroscopy and microscopy. The as-afforded covalent organic framework membranes demonstrate attractive proton transport performance in high temperature and anhydrous fuel cell applications.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-61325-9

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