A novel Ce-MOF/PES mixed matrix membrane; synthesis, characterization and antifouling evaluation

Abstract

A new polyethersulfone (PES) nanofiltration membrane, modified with nanocrystalline Ce(III) metal–organic framework (MOF), was produced via the phase inversion method and characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), water contact angle and porosity measurements. The morphology and performance of these membranes were investigated in terms of pure water flux, water contact angle, fouling parameters and dye removal. Modified PES membranes showed an increase in the pure water flux relative to the bare membrane. The changes in sublayer and skin layer of modified membranes and also increased pore size and porosity is obvious from the SEM images of PES membranes porosity measurements. Moreover, the surface hydrophilicity of the MOF embedded membranes was improved due to the tendency of water to the membrane surface. The antifouling properties of the membranes were evaluated by powder milk solution and measuring the flux recovery ratio (FRR). The results revealed the modified membrane with 0.5wt.% of MOF nanoparticle (NPs) had the best antifouling property and also the highest porosity and water flux. Nanofiltration performance of membranes was appraised by probing of the retention of Direct Red 16. The result showed that all the modified membranes have a higher dye rejection capacity than the bare PES membrane.