Enhanced C3H6/C3H8 separation performance on MOF membranes through blocking defects and hindering framework flexibility by silicone rubber coating.

The polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) coating penetrated into the underneath ZIF-8 polycrystalline membrane not only blocking the inter-crystalline defects but also hindering the flexibility of the ZIF-8 framework, resulting in an unusual and highly desired increase in the separation selectivity of the C3H6/C3H8 mixture under high feeding pressures.