Fabrication of a MIL-53(Al) Nanocomposite Membrane and Potential Application in Desalination of Dye Solutions

Abstract

This study reports the fabrication of mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) using immersion precipitation phase inversion for promising application in desalination of dye solutions. Aromatic poly(m-phenylene isophthalamide) is used as the polymer material, and the metal−organic framework MIL-53(Al) is added to develop integrally skinned asymmetric membranes. Successful dispersion of MIL-53(Al) particles into the membrane-separating layer is confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. The optimum performance of the membranes is obtained at 0.5 wt % MIL-53(Al) concentration. In particular, the M-0.5 membrane is planned for use in separating dye/salt aqueous mixtures. It is observed that the M-0.5 membrane has a rejection for NaCl and Na 2 SO 4 below 11% and 37%, respectively, in mixed salt/ dye solutions. Additionally, the M-0.5 membrane is found to have a rejection rate of 83.9%, 98.3%, and 99.8% for nitroso-R salt, xylenol orange, and ponceau S, respectively, in mixed Na 2 SO 4 /dye solutions. The rejection rate for Na 2 SO 4 is lower than that of some commercial nanofiltration membranes (NF90, NF270, and DK). The membrane is promising for dye desalination in industrial-scale applications.

Metal–Organic Framework Nanocomposite Thin Films with Interfacial Bindings and Self-Standing Robustness for High Water Flux and Enhanced Ion Selectivity

“…Although some zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF) materials (e.g., ZIF-7 and ZIF-8) that have small pore-aperture size (<3.8 Å) might be suitable for rejecting ions, their narrow pore apertures are hydrophobic and inhibit the permeation of water molecules. Other well-studied MOFs with apertures greater than 8 Å (e.g., MIL-53 and MIF-74) do not show substantially high rejections for monovalent ions (Cl – , d : 6.4 Å) and divalent ions (SO 4 2– , d : 7.6 Å) . By contrast, UiO-66 has proper-sized pore windows for the separation of divalent ions and permeation of water molecules.…”

Development of advanced nanocomposite membranes by molecular sieving nanomaterials (zeolite and MOF)

“…For better mechanical strength and permeance, the thickness of the membrane is generally controlled between 18 and 30 mm for pervaporation application, and larger than 150 mm for water treatment purpose. The substrate-free blending method was utilized to prepare a MIL-53(Al) nanocomposite using poly(m-phenylene isophthalamide) (PMIA, polymer) and MIL-53(Al) particles in a mixture of N,N-dimethylacetamide, and LiCl [70]. The membranes were placed in a vacuum oven before being immersed in distilled water to induce phase inversion process.…”

Fe/Mn oxide decorated polyacrylonitrile hollow fiber membrane as heterogeneous Fenton reactor for methylene blue decolorization

“…A container was then used to collect the permeate penetrating through the shell side of hollow fiber membrane. The pure water flux was calculated as per the following equation: …”