Advanced membrane separation based on two-dimensional porous nanosheets

Two-dimensional porous nanosheets such as metal-organic frameworks, covalent organic frameworks, fluorides of light lanthanide, and perforated graphene oxide are a class of nanomaterials with sheet-like morphologies and defined pore structures. Due to their porous structure and large lateral sizes, these materials exhibit excellent molecular transport properties in separation processes. This review focuses on the pore formation strategies for two-dimensional porous nanosheets and applications of these nanosheets and their constructed membranes in gas separation processes and separation processes applicable to water treatment and the humidity control of gas permeation. A brief discussion of challenges and future developments of separation applications with two-dimensional porous nanosheets and their constructed membranes is included in this review.