Distillation of alcohol/water solution in hybrid metal –organic framework hollow fibers

Distillation of Alcohol/Water Solution in Hybrid Metal ‐organic Framework Hollow Fibers AbstractDistillation with multitudinous structured packings has shown great potential for chemical separation. However, there still remains a big challenge to prepare porous structured packings with more productive separation and better mass transfer efficiency due to materials limitations. Metal –organic framework (MOF) membranes have commendable porous structures that provide enough pathways for fast mass transport and superhydrophobic character for efficient separation. Herein, novel MOFs‐based hollow fiber structured packings were fabricated by a facile two‐step blending and post‐ coating method and successfully applied in alcohol/water distillation. The ZIF‐8 nanoparticles with high surface area and hydrophobic framework in PDMS matrix greatly accelerated mass transfer rate of membrane. Especially, as hydrophobic ZIF‐8/PDMS layer was coated on the inner surface of fibers , the wetting behavior of membranes can be effectively prevented. The prepared ZIF‐8/PDMS structured packings can be easily operated far above the normal flooding limit and held the height of mass transfer unit as small as desired.
Source: AIChE Journal - Category: Science Authors: Tags: SEPARATIONS: MATERIALS, DEVICES AND PROCESSES Source Type: research