Volume 60, Issue 52 pp. 27078-27085
Research Article

Oil–Water–Oil Triphase Synthesis of Ionic Covalent Organic Framework Nanosheets

Zheyuan Guo

Zheyuan Guo

Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072 China

Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin, 300072 China

These authors contributed equally to this work.

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Haifei Jiang

Haifei Jiang

Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072 China

Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin, 300072 China

State Key Laboratory of Engines, School of Mechanical Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072 China

These authors contributed equally to this work.

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Prof. Hong Wu

Corresponding Author

Prof. Hong Wu

Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072 China

Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin, 300072 China

Tianjin Key Laboratory of Membrane Science and Desalination Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072 China

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Leilang Zhang

Leilang Zhang

Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072 China

Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin, 300072 China

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Shuqing Song

Shuqing Song

Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072 China

Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin, 300072 China

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Yu Chen

Yu Chen

Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin, 300072 China

School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072 China

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Chenyang Zheng

Chenyang Zheng

Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin, 300072 China

State Key Laboratory of Engines, School of Mechanical Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072 China

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Yanxiong Ren

Yanxiong Ren

Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072 China

Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin, 300072 China

Joint School of National University of Singapore and Tianjin University, International Campus of Tianjin University, Binhai New City, Fuzhou, 350207 China

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Rui Zhao

Rui Zhao

Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072 China

Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin, 300072 China

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Yonghong Li

Yonghong Li

Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072 China

Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin, 300072 China

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Yan Yin

Yan Yin

Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin, 300072 China

State Key Laboratory of Engines, School of Mechanical Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072 China

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Prof. Michael D. Guiver

Corresponding Author

Prof. Michael D. Guiver

Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin, 300072 China

State Key Laboratory of Engines, School of Mechanical Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072 China

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Prof. Zhongyi Jiang

Corresponding Author

Prof. Zhongyi Jiang

Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072 China

Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin, 300072 China

Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Shantou, 515031 (China)

Joint School of National University of Singapore and Tianjin University, International Campus of Tianjin University, Binhai New City, Fuzhou, 350207 China

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First published: 07 October 2021
Citations: 94

Graphical Abstract

An oil–water–oil triphase method based on a phase engineering strategy is developed for the bottom-up synthesis of ionic covalent organic framework nanosheets (iCOFNs). A favourable reaction region with moderate monomer concentration is achieved in the middle water phase. The resulting three cationic and anionic iCOFNs show potential for ultrathin biogas separation membranes.

Abstract

Ionic covalent organic framework nanosheets (iCOFNs) with long-range ordered and mono-dispersed ionic groups hold great potential in many advanced applications. Considering the inherent drawbacks of oil–water biphase method, herein, we explore an oil–water–oil triphase method based on phase engineering strategy for the bottom-up synthesis of iCOFNs. The middle water phase serves as a confined reaction region, and the two oil phases are reservoirs for storing and supplying monomers to the water phase. A large aqueous space and low monomer concentration lead to the anisotropic gradual growth of iCOFNs into few-layer thickness, large lateral size, and high crystallinity. Notably, the resulting three cationic and anionic iCOFNs exhibit ultra-high aspect ratios of up to 20,000. We further demonstrate their application potential by processing into ultrathin defect-free COF membranes for efficient biogas separation. Our triphase method may offer an alternative platform technology for the synthesis and innovative applications of iCOFNs.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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