Methods to enhance separation performance of metal-organic framework membranes

Abstract

A method produces a metal-organic framework on a surface of another metal-organic framework. One embodiment comprises contacting the first metal-organic framework with a ligand and solvent solution; wherein the first metal-organic framework comprises a first ligand and a first metal; wherein the ligand and solvent solution comprises a second ligand that is different from the first ligand in the first metal-organic framework; and allowing the second ligand from the ligand and solvent solution to exchange with the first ligand present in the first metal-organic framework for a period of time suitable to produce the second metal-organic framework on the surface of the first metal-organic framework.