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, the growing or depositing comprising:
• coating the ceramic support with a layer of 3D MFI nanoparticles;
• and
• coating the layer of 3D MFI nanoparticles with a layer of 2D MFI nanosheets;
• and
• growing a porous, polycrystalline material comprising a metal-organic framework (MOF) on the porous, nanocrystalline material comprising the zeolite.

A molecular separation device, comprising:

• a porous, polycrystalline membrane material comprising a metal-organic framework (MOF);
• and
• a porous, nanocrystalline material comprising a zeolite on a ceramic support,
• wherein the zeolite comprises a layer of 3D MFI nanoparticles and a layer of 2D MFI nanosheets;
• wherein the porous, nanocrystalline material is dispersed within at least a portion of the porous, polycrystalline membrane material;
• wherein the porous, nanocrystalline material provides a plurality of nanoporous structures;
• and
• wherein the molecular separation device has a propylene permeability of greater than 100 barrer and a propylene to propane selectivity of greater than 100.