Efficient growth of sub-micrometric MOF crystals inside the channels of AAO membranes

International audience; A dynamic step-by-step methodology has been implemented to grow the HKUST-1 porous coordination polymer inside commercial anodic aluminium oxide membranes. Efficient crystal growth is achieved from the membrane inner walls and over the whole membrane thickness when copper acetate colloidal suspensions and benzene tricarboxylic acid solutions are forced to flow through the membrane. Sorption properties of the HKUST-1 embedded in membranes show selectivity for CO2 over CO, CH4, O2 and N2 similar to the bulk material.