Preparation and characterization of a novel ZIF-8 membrane over high voidage paper-like stainless steel fibers

A new method was employed to synthesize a novel high voidage ZIF-8 membrane over paper-like stainless steel fibers (PSSF). Firstly, paper-like stainless steel fibers (PSSF) were prepared by wet lay-up papermaking and sintering process , then the ZIF-8 membrane was coated on the PSSF support by secondary growth process. The effects of the seed layer growth time, the Hmim (2-methylimidazole)/Zn (Zinc nitrate hexahydrate) molar ratios , the solvothermal synthesis temperature and time on properties of ZIF-8 membrane/PSSF composites were investigated by modern characterization methods. The experimental results indicated that the void volume of ZIF-8 membrane/PSSF composites reached 89%. The optimal specific surface area of composites was 398 m 2 /g and the total pore volume was 0.174 cm 3 /g. Specifically, the size of seeds were approximately 250 nm when Hmim/Zn molar ratios and seed layer deposition time were 80 and 12 h, respectively. Under the condition of optimal seed layer, ZIF-8 membrane/PSSF composites showed outstanding continuity, compactness, free-defect and crystal shape when solvothermal synthesis time and solvothermal synthesis temperature were 24 h and 100 °C, respectively.