Academic Journal

Precise regulation of missing linkers in MOF pervaporation membranes for desalination of hypersaline waters

Bibliographic Details
Title: Precise regulation of missing linkers in MOF pervaporation membranes for desalination of hypersaline waters
Authors: Yingchao Dong, Casey De Finnda, Mao Fu, Xiangyong Zheng, Qiang Lyu, Min Zhao, Huanting Wang, Han-Qing Yu, Menachem Elimelech
Source: Nature Communications, Vol 17, Iss 1 (2026)
Publisher Information: Nature Portfolio, 2026.
Publication Year: 2026
Collection: LCC:Science
Subject Terms: Science
Description: Abstract We report a method for the precise regulation of intracrystalline missing-linkers to control the permeability and selectivity of metal-organic framework (MOF) membranes. The method is applied for the design of stable ceramic-based MOF-801 membranes for hypersaline water treatment via pervaporation. For efficient membrane growth, an in situ nano-seeding strategy was employed to provide nucleation sites followed by surfactant posttreatment to minimize cracks. Missing-linkers are regulated in MOF-801 membranes by altering the ratio of fumarate to formic acid, which positively enhances water transport by modifying the MOF-801 structure and chemistry. Specifically, missing-linkers enhance membrane structural hydrophilicity with stronger host-guest interaction energy, resulting in faster transport with a lower energy barrier by enlarging the pore window and pore cage. The MOF-801 membranes demonstrated near-perfect salt rejection (~99.9%) and high water flux, outperforming most state-of-the-art silica, MOF, and zeolite polycrystalline membranes for the treatment of both saline and hypersaline waters. Notably, the membranes exhibited stable desalination performance, highlighting their promising application potential. This work provides a strategy for the rational design of next-generation high-performance MOF nanochannel membranes for challenging water purification applications.
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 2041-1723
Relation: https://doaj.org/toc/2041-1723
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-026-69745-x
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/7ee5daca11bf4d71970a7277cd74e81b
Accession Number: edsdoj.7ee5daca11bf4d71970a7277cd74e81b
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
Description
ISSN:20411723
DOI:10.1038/s41467-026-69745-x