All-nanoporous hybrid membranes comprising zeolites and metal-organic frameworks synthesized therethrough

A method of forming a molecular separation device, comprising:

• growing or depositing a porous, nanocrystalline material comprising a zeolite on a ceramic support;
• and
• growing a porous, polycrystalline material comprising a metal-organic framework (MOF) on the porous, nanocrystalline material comprising the zeolite, comprising:
• applying a first reactant fluid including a metal salt to the porous, nanocrystalline material;
• converting the first reactant fluid to a metal-containing film by solvent evaporation;
• applying a second reactant fluid including an imidazole reactant in vapor form to the ceramic support with the porous, nanocrystalline material;
• and
• reacting the imidazole reactant in vapor form with the metal-containing film to convert the metal-containing film into the porous, polycrystalline material.

A molecular separation device, comprising:

• a porous, polycrystalline membrane material comprising a metal-organic framework (MOF);
• and
• a porous, nanocrystalline material comprising a zeolite,
• wherein the nanocrystalline material is dispersed within at least a portion of the polycrystalline membrane material;
• wherein the nanocrystalline material provides a plurality of nanoporous structures;
• and
• wherein the molecular separation device has a propylene permeability greater than 100 barrer and a propylene to propane selectivity greater than 100.