Conventional separation technologies for valuable commodities require
substantial energy, accounting for 10%–15% of global consumption.
Mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs) offer a promising solution by combining
processable polymers with selective inorganic fillers. Here, the potential of
using ordered microporous structured materials is demonstrated as MMM
fillers. The use of ordered macroporous ZIF-67 in combination with the
well-known 6FDA-DAM polymer leads to superior performance in the
important separation of propylene from propane. The enhanced performance
can be rationalized with the help of advanced microscopy, which
demonstrates that the polymer is able to penetrate the macroporous network
around which the MOF (Metal-Organic Framework) is synthesized, resulting
in a much better interphase between the two components and the
homogeneous distribution of the filler, even at high loadings.