Effect of process parameters over carbon-based ZIF-62 nano-rooted membrane for environmental pollutants separation

The paper evaluates the routes towards the evaluation of membranes using ZIF-62 metal organic framework (MOF) nano-hybrid dots for environmental remediation. Optimization of interaction of operating parameters over the rooted membrane is challenging issue. Subsequently, the interaction of operating parameters including temperature, pressure and CO₂ gas concentration over the resultant rooted membranes are evaluated and optimized using response surface methodology for environmental remediation. In addition, the stability and effect of hydrocarbons on the performance of the resulting membrane during the gas mixture separation are evaluated at optimum conditions to meet the industrial requirements. The characterization results verified the fabrication of the ZIF-62 MOF rooted composite membrane. The permeation results demonstrated that the CO₂ permeability and CO₂/CH₄ selectivity of the composite membrane was increased from 15.8 to 84.8 Barrer and 12.2 to 35.3 upon integration of ZIF-62 nano-glass into cellulose acetate (CA) polymer. Subsequently, the optimum conditions have been found at a temperature of 30 °C, the pressure of 12.6 bar and CO₂ feed concentration of 53.3 vol%. These optimum conditions revealed the highest CO₂ permeability, CH₄ permeability and CO₂/CH₄ separation factor of 47.9 Barrer, 0.2 Barrer and 26.8. The presence of hydrocarbons in gas mixture dropped the CO₂ permeability of 56.5% and separation factor of 46.4% during 206 h of testing. The separation performance of the composite membrane remained stable without the presence of hydrocarbons for 206 h.