The
present study eliminated nonselective defects by amending the
MOF-based mixed matrix membrane (MMM) interface with (3-aminopropyl)
triethoxysilane (APTES) via Schiff’s base reaction. This modification
on the ZIF-90 nanoparticle surfaces enhanced the polydimethylsiloxane
(PDMS) matrix interaction in the MMMs. Interfacial defects were then
minimized through APTES-ZIF-90 nanoparticle surface alkoxy and PDMS
chain hydroxyl group cross-linking. Enhanced chemical interactions
between the nanoparticles and the polymeric matrix in the APTES-ZIF-90/PDMS
MMMs resulted in higher interface compatibility and separation performance
than the ZIF-90 nanoparticle MMMs, which ultimately improved its ethanol
affinity and hydrophobicity. When the load of APTES-ZIF-90 nanoparticles
was 15% and the temperature was 40 °C, the pervaporation performance
of APTES-ZIF-90/PDMS MMMs was optimal, the separation factor was 16.8,
and the permeation flux was 223 g/(m2·h). Compared
with pure PDMS, the separation factor and permeation flux increased
by 91 and 67%, respectively. In addition, stable APTES-ZIF-90/PDMS
MMM pervaporation performance was observed after an optimal operation
time of 120 h. Overall, the present work presented methods to optimize
MOF-based MMMs for enhanced interface morphology and separation performance
for ethanol recovery.
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