In　recent　years,　metal-organic　framework　(MOF)　membranes　have　attracted　much　attention　in　many　fields.　However,　the　fabrication　of　MOF　membrane　with　defect-free　ultrathin　separation　layer　on　the　surface　of　a　substrate　is　very　difficult.　In　this　study,　freezing　assisted　in　situ　growth　strategy　was　used　to　prepare　a　nano-confined　ZIF-8　composite　membrane　on　a　porous　ceramic　substrate.　The　frozen　alumina　substrate　with　the　metal　ion　ice　crystal　inside　the　pores　was　immersed　in　ligand　solution　for　the　growth　of　ZIF-8　crystals.　Then,　ZIF-8　nanoparticles　were　grown　inside　the　pores　rather　than　on　the　surface　of　the　substrate.　The　morphology　and　structure　of　the　ZIF-8　particles　and　nano-confined　composite　membranes　were　characterized　by　XRD,　SEM,　FTIR,　EDS,　and　nanoindentation.　The　obtained　nano-confined　ZIF-8　composite　membrane　exhibited　excellent　separation　performance　and　stability　for　removing　dyes　from　water.　The　influence　of　preparation　conditions　on　membrane　structure　and　property　was　also　investigated.　The　freezing　assisted　method　may　provide　an　avenue　for　preparing　MOF　membranes　in　other　fields.　©　2021　Elsevier　B.V.