The increasing global demand for safe drinking water and environmental concerns about current treatment methods have inspired research and development of novel water treatment approaches. Membrane technologies are advantageous because they provide a physical barrier to water contaminants and require little chemical additives or thermal input. Asymmetric membranes with a dense active layer supported by a thicker, highly porous substructure offer good selectivity to remove a range of water contaminants, high water permeability, and mechanical strength. In spite of its advantages, a more widespread application of membrane technology in water treatment is limited due to the high cost of energy and membrane operational problems associated with fouling and fouling control strategies. As an alternative to conventional polymeric membrane materials, covalent organic frameworks are an emerging class of crystalline, porous organic materials, which are assembled by joining organic building units via strong covalent bonds. Their high degree of crystallinity, in combination with the permanent and regular pore structure, allows for the creation of one-dimensional channels that are ideal for separation processes. Modular design and the potential for post-synthetic modifications allow for additional tailorability and membrane selectivity. Synthesis and characterization of a covalent organic framework based on polyimide linkages will be discussed along with their applicability to membrane separation processes.

Covalent organic frameworks as novel membrane materials

251st National Meeting (2016)

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