High Performance of PIM-1/ZIF-8 Composite Membranes for O(2)/N(2) Separation

[Image: see text] This work reports the preparation, characterization, and O(2)/N(2) separation properties of composite membranes based on the polymer of intrinsic microporosity (PIM-1) and the zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-8). Especially, the composite membranes were prepared by growing ZIF-8 nanoparticles on one side of the PIM-1 membrane in methanol. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermo-gravimetric analysis indicated that there is no strong chemical interaction between ZIF-8 nanoparticles and PIM-1 chains. Scanning electron microscopy images showed that ZIF-8 nanoparticles adhere well to the PIM-1 membrane surface. The pure-gas permeation results confirmed that growth of ZIF-8 on the PIM-1 membrane can enhance the performance of O(2)/N(2) separation. Particularly, the O(2)/N(2) separation performance of the PIM-1/ZIF-8-7 composite membrane exceeds the Robeson upper bound line.