PVDF/MOFs mixed matrix ultrafiltration membrane for efficient water treatment

Abstract

Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), with excellent mechanical strength, thermal stability and chemical corrosion resistance, has become an excellent material for separation membranes fabrication. However, the high hydrophobicity of PVDF membrane surface normally leads a decreased water permeability and serious membrane pollution, which ultimately result in low operational efficiency, short lifespan of membrane, high operation cost and other problems. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), have been widely applied for membrane modification due to its large specific surface area, large porosity and adjustable pore size. Currently, numerous MOFs have been synthesized and used to adjust the membrane separation properties. In this study, MIL-53(Al) were blended with PVDF casting solution to prepare ultrafiltration (UF) membrane through a phase separation technique. The optimal separation performance was achieved by varying the concentration of MIL-53(Al). The surface properties and microstructures of the as-prepared membranes with different MIL-53(Al) loading revealed that the incorporation of MIL-53(Al) enhanced the membrane hydrophilicity and increased the porosity and average pore size of the membrane. The optimal membrane decorated with 5 wt% MIL-53(Al) possessed a pure water permeability up to 43.60 L m−2 h−1 bar−1, while maintaining higher rejections towards BSA (82.09%). Meanwhile, the prepared MIL-53(Al)/LiCl@PVDF membranes exhibited an excellent antifouling performance.

MOFs meet membrane: application in water treatment and separation

“…A novel MOF hybrid membrane with excellent antifouling properties was prepared using zwitterionic MOF polymerized PA. 157 Featuring superior thermal properties, an exceptional resistance to harsh chemicals, and an outstanding mechanical strength, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) has emerged as a highly popular choice for porous polymer membranes. 158 For instance, Tan et al prepared MOF–polymer hybrid membranes by incorporating functionalized NH 2 -MIL-101 (Cr) into porous PVDF using a co-blending method. 159 The –NH 2 groups in the CR dye and NH 2 -MIL-101 (Cr) undergo chemisorption through hydrogen bonding.…”

Biomimetic mussel technology for membrane material modification: Adhesion mechanism and design strategy

“…The incorporation of P-HAP with 12 wt% P-HAP/PCL stents resulted in a 10% increase in tensile strength and a 16% increase in compressive strength. 83 Xu et al 84 developed a novel GO/DTiO 2 -PDA-PEI (dopamine-modified TiO 2 ) composite nanofiltration membrane through multiple coupling strategies such as self-assembly, copolymerization, and surface grafting. 85 The modified F I G U R E 5 Adhesion of polydopamine to various materials.…”

Recent Advances on the Fabrication of Antifouling Phase-Inversion Membranes by Physical Blending Modification Method

“…), layered and porous nanomaterials (e.g., zeolites, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), etc.) [ 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 ], and hybrid nanomaterials (which includes the combination of two or more materials) [ 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 78 , 79 ] in order to develop the hydrophilic characteristics and antifouling capability of membranes necessary for water treatment or their application in the biomedical field. Distinct from other methods, blending modification does not require any additional steps during the fabrication of polymeric membranes or mixed matrix membranes (MMMs), making it a relatively simple and fast method; hence, considerable attention has been given to this over the past decade as illustrated by the number of research publications in Figure 2 .…”