CuBTC metal organic framework incorporation for enhancing separation and antifouling properties of nanofiltration membrane

Publication date: Available online 13 June 2019Source: Chemical Engineering Research and DesignAuthor(s): Nurasyikin Misdan, Normarina Ramlee, Nur Hanis Hayati Hairom, Syarifah Nazirah Wan Ikhsan, Norhaniza Yusof, Woei Jye Lau, Ahmad Fauzi Ismail, Nik Abdul Hadi Md NordinAbstractNovel thin film nanocomposite (TFN) nanofiltration membrane with tunable physico-chemical properties and separation performances was fabricated by incorporating the copper benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylate (CuBTC) nanoparticles with different concentrations (ranging from 0–0.75 wt.%) in the polysulfone (PSf) substrates, followed by the interfacial polymerization process of trimesoyl chloride (TMC) and piperazine (PIP) to establish top selective layer. Charaterization results show that both chemical and physical properties of poly(piperazineamide) selective layer was altered when PSf substrate was modified by CuBTC. The introduction of CuBTC nanoparticles improved the hydrophilicity of the TFN membranes (from 70.25º to 59.02º) and promoted formation of more linear structure of poly(piperazineamide) entangled with –COOH pendant groups. By incorporating 0.25 wt.% of CuBTC into the PSf substrate, the resultant membrane flux was enhanced by 22% with MgSO4 rejection remained at 97.31%. Furthermore, a notable increment of rejection against NaCl could be attained by increasing the CuBTC content in the substrate. This could be explained by the Donnan potential effect occurred on the more linear structures...
Source: Chemical Engineering Research and Design - Category: Chemistry Source Type: research