Structure–property tuning in hydrothermally stable sol–gel-processed hybrid organosilica molecular sieving membranes

Supported microporous organosilica membranes made from bridged silsesquioxane precursors by an acid-catalyzed sol–gel process have demonstrated a remarkable hydrothermal stability in pervaporation and gas separation processes, making them the first generation of ceramic molecular sieving membranes with sufficient performance under industrially relevant conditions. The commercial availability of various α,ω-bis(trialkoxysilyl)alkane and 1,4-bis(trialkoxysilyl)benzene precursors facilitates the tailoring of membrane properties like pore size and surface chemistry via the choice of precursor(s) and process variables. Here, we describe the engineering of sols for making supported microporous thin films, discuss the thermal and hydrothermal stability of microporous organosilicas and give a short overview of the developments and applications of these membranes in liquid and gas separation processes since their first report in 2008.