Amino-functionalized UiO-66-doped mixed matrix membranes with high permeation performance and fouling resistance

For the reduction of bovine serum proteins from wastewater,a novel mixed matrix membrane was prepared by functionalizing the substrate material polyaryletherketone(PAEK),followed by carboxyl groups(C-SPAEKS),and then adding amino-functionalized UiO-66-NH_(2)(Am-UiO-66-NH_(2)).Aminofunctionalization of UiO-66 was accomplished by melamine,followed by an amidation reaction to immobilize Am-UiO-66-NH_(2),which was immobilized on the surface of the membrane as well as in the pore channels,which enhanced the hydrophilicity of the membrane surface while increasing the negative potential of the membrane surface.This nanoparticle-loaded ultrafiltration membrane has good permeation performance,with a pure water flux of up to 482.3 L·m^(-2)·h^(-1) for C-SPAEKS/AmUiO-66-NH_(2) and a retention rate of up to 98.7%for bovine serum albumin(BSA)-contaminated solutions.Meanwhile,after several hydrophilic modifications,the flux recovery of BSA contaminants by this series of membranes increased from 56.2%to 80.55%of pure membranes.The results of ultra-filtration flux time tests performed at room temperature showed that the series of ultrafiltration membranes remained relatively stable over a test time of 300 min.Thus,the newly developed mixed matrix membrane showed potential for high efficiency and stability in wastewater treatment containing bovine serum proteins.

Electrochemically prepared coniferous leaf-like nickel black membrane for desalination by solar-thermal energy conversion

The structures of the solar-thermal membranes always influence the performance of light absorption and salt resistance in desalination.Inspired by the hierarchical structure of the coniferous leaves with excellent sunlight absorption in frigid regions,a coniferous leaf-like nickel black(L-Ni)membrane for desalination by solar-thermal energy conversion was prepared through electroplating method under a constant voltage.The light trapping effect of coniferous leaf-like structure led to the light absorption enhanced to 92%,the evaporation rate improved to 1.38 kg·m^(-2)·h^(-1),and the solar-vapor conversion efficiency of L-Ni membrane reaching up to 89.75%under 1 sun irradiation.The stability of the membrane was still excellent after 20 cycles desalination because the coniferous leaf-like structure could enhance the hydrophobicity(water contact angle:152°)of the L-Ni membrane,and it was beneficial to salt resistance.The promising performance of L-Ni membrane with coniferous leaf-like structure provides a possibility to replace the noble metal solar-thermal conversion materials.