Hydrogen-bonded organic framework enables ultrathin polyamide membrane for efficient endocrine disrupting compounds removal

Ultraselective thin-film nanocomposite (TFN) nanofiltration membranes require precise control over interfacial compatibility to overcome defects and nonselective voids induced by nanofillers agglomeration. Here, we report a hydrogen-bonded organic framework (HOF)-based TFN membrane engineered via controlled interfacial polymerization. Leveraging the superhydrophilicity, abundant hydrogen bonding sites, and exceptional compatibility of HOF nanorods with the polyamide matrix, the resulting HOF-TFN membrane maintains nanoporosity while exhibiting enhanced surface hydrophilicity and negative charge, without altering pore size. Consequently, the HOF-TFN membrane demonstrated satisfied rejection rates towards typical hazardous endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs), notably achieving 97.1 % rejection for bisphenol A (BPA) and 97.0 % rejection for sodium 2-biphenylate (SOPP), with enhanced water permeability (10.8 L m −2  h −1  bar −1 ). Experimental data and molecular simulations demonstrate that integrating HOF preserves membrane nanoporosity while finely tuning interfacial affinities with water and pollutants—unlocking synergistic control over molecular sieving, electrostatic repulsion, and water transport. Our work establishes a rational design strategy of next-generation TFN membranes for ultraselective organic micropollutant removal.