Electrospun nanofiber composite membranes containing water-stable metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) particles (Zr-based MOF-808) supported on polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofiber synthesized via co-electrospinning have been prepared. MOF particles were dispersed in the organic polymer, and their subsequent presence was inferred by scanning electron microscopy. Membrane performance in heavy metal ion adsorption in batch filtration was evaluated on the basis of Cd and Zn ions sequestration. The adsorption capacities of the pristine MOF and the MOF composite membrane revealed that MOF particles in the membrane could be accessed for adsorption in the hydrophilic PAN membranes. The maximum adsorption capacities were 225.05 and 287.06 mg g for Cd and Zn, respectively. Conventional thermal activation of pristine MOF and composite membrane revealed a crystal downsizing, while "hydractivation" produced an expanded MOF with enhanced adsorption potentials. The PAN/MOF-808 "hydractivated" composite membrane could treat 580 mL of Cd, whereas the conventional vacuum-activated composite treated 464 mL. The high separation performance and reusability of the membranes and the outstanding water stability of the MOFs suggested the developed membrane as a potential candidate for water treatment.

Fe(iii) and Zr(iv) based metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) were enmeshed in polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) electro-spun nanofibers to produce nanofibrous MOF membranes (NMOM).

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Among other applications, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are slowly gaining grounds as fillers for desalination composite membranes. In this study, superhydrophobic poly(vinylidene fluoride) nanofibrous membranes were fabricated with MOF (iron 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate) loading of up to 5 wt % via electrospinning on a nonwoven substrate. To improve the attachment of nanofibers onto the substrate, a substrate pretreatment method called "solvent basing" was employed. The iron content in the nanofiber, measured by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, increased proportionally with the increase of the MOF concentration in the spinning dope, indicating a uniform distribution of MOF in the nanofiber. The water contact angle increased up to 138.06 ± 2.18° upon the incorporation of 5 wt % MOF, and a liquid entry pressure of 82.73 kPa could be maintained, making the membrane useful for direct contact membrane distillation experiments. The membrane was stable for the entire operating period of 5 h, exhibiting 2.87 kg/m·h of water vapor flux and 99.99% NaCl (35 g/L) rejection when the feed and permeate temperature were 48 and 16 °C, respectively. Immobilization of MOF on nanofibers with the enhanced attachment was proven by inductively coupled mass spectrometry analysis, by which no Fe could be found in the permeate to the detection limit of ppt.