Thin-film Nanocomposite Membranes for Separating Ions and Uncharged Species in Water

Membranes and related systems and methods for separation of components in liquids are generally described. The membrane may include particles in a polymer matrix (e.g., a polyamide layer). The particles may include metal-organic framework particles comprising functional groups (e.g., from post-synthetic modification) that can, in some instances, improve the rejection and/or selectivity of the membrane. For example, the metal-organic framework may comprise functional groups bound to hydrophobic groups (e.g., alkyl chains) that assist with suspension stability in nonpolar solvents during membrane fabrication. As another example, the metal-organic framework may comprise functional groups bound to crosslinking agents that facilitate in situ crosslinking of the particles with the polymer matrix, thereby reducing voids in the membrane and/or leaching. In some instances, the membrane is a thin-film nanocomposite membrane (e.g., for separating components like charged species and/or neutral species) formed via, for example, interfacial polymerization in the presence of the particles.