Continuous CC3 Porous Organic Cage Membranes

Porous organic cages (POCs) have emerged as a novel type of crystalline microporous materials which combine highly desirable properties, such as uniform micropores, high surface areas, and thermal and chemical stability, making them highly appealing candidates for diverse functional applications, including molecular gas separations. POCs consist of covalently bonded organic cages that can assemble into crystalline microporous materials displaying three-dimensional connectivity and uniform pore size. Herein, I discuss the successful synthesis of continuous CC3 membranes grown on alumina porous tubes, a geometry that is highly amenable for potential scale-up. The resultant membranes were evaluated for the separation of Xenon from light gases. Effectively separating Xenon from light gases can lead to a considerable reduction in its storage costs, and in potential revenue generated from its sale.