Overview

    The escalating expansion of manufacturing and mining industries has introduced contaminants into the environment, jeopardizing the integrity of Earth's freshwater and energy supplies. This situation demands urgent and collective action to develop advanced separation/catalytic systems. Our research group is committed to addressing these issues by focusing on the creation of innovative porous crystalline membranes.

Ion Separation

    Membrane-based ion separation stands out as a pivotal technology, particularly in industries where the recovery of valuable ions and minerals from industrial processes is crucial. This approach significantly contributes to waste reduction and promotes sustainable resource utilization. However, traditional polymer membranes face challenges related to selectivity and the inherent trade-off between selectivity and permeability. To overcome these limitations, our interest lies in utilizing covalent organic frameworks (COFs) as a designer platform for membrane fabrication. COFs offer customizable pore structures and environments, providing an avenue for substantial advancements in ion selectivity. This improvement not only contributes to more efficient ion separation but also deepens our understanding of ion behavior across membranes. Deploying COFs in membrane technology represents a promising direction for overcoming the constraints of polymer-based membranes. By leveraging the design flexibility of COFs, we can tailor-make membranes specifically suited for particular ion separation challenges, optimizing both efficiency and effectiveness in industrial applications. This innovation has the potential to revolutionize the field of membrane-based ion separation, offering a more nuanced and effective approach to managing and utilizing resources.

Energy Conversion

    The surging demand for energy, together with the dwindling supply of conventional resources, has spurred a heightened interest in alternative energy sources. The conversion of unconventional energies such as solar, low-grade heat, and salinity gradients is essential, yet presents significant challenges. Recognizing their potential to drive ion transport, we have embraced reverse electrodialysis (RED) technology to convert these energy forms directly into electricity. Central to RED technology are ion-selective membranes, and our research is devoted to developing a series of these membranes using COFs. These membranes, with their sub-nanometer-sized channels, are meticulously designed to utilize temperature differences and salt concentration gradients as driving forces. This architecture facilitates the selective and swift transport of specific ions, efficiently transforming waste heat and salinity gradient energies into electricity. Additionally, to augment the harnessing of solar energy, we have innovated ion-selective membranes endowed with photoresponsive properties. These advanced membranes generate an electric field upon exposure to light, aiding in the targeted movement of ions and thus boosting the conversion of solar energy into electrical power. Our research is poised to significantly contribute to more sustainable and efficient use of alternative energy sources, tackling some of the most urgent challenges of our era.

Membrane Reactor

    Catalytic science and technology are pivotal in the modern chemical industry, as they are instrumental in about 85% of chemical syntheses. Enhancing catalytic efficiency is a vital strategy for optimizing resource use, posing a significant challenge within the field of catalysis. Membrane reactors, merging traditional reaction engineering with separation technology, offer a range of advantages in various chemical processes. They improve reaction rates by continuously removing by-products or altering the reaction equilibrium, thus creating more favorable conditions for desired reactions. Additionally, they facilitate continuous operation, allowing for steady-state conditions and more precise control over reaction kinetics. Our innovative approach involves the customized synthesis of COF membranes, which can incorporate catalytic active sites either through novel synthesis or via a host-guest assembly strategy. These membranes demonstrate exceptional catalytic performance, surpassing that of powder counterparts and even homogeneous analogues. This advancement holds significant promise for revolutionizing catalytic processes, leading to more efficient and sustainable chemical production.