Constructing High-Performance ZIF-8-Modified PVA/Poly(ionic liquid) Composite Membranes with Integrated Dyes/Cu²⁺...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Environmental Science
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• Wastewater treatment faces challenges in removing stable dyes, metal ions, and bacteria.
• Conventional adsorbents often lack sufficient affinity for these pollutants.
• Developing multifunctional materials is crucial for efficient water purification.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create a high-performance composite membrane for simultaneous pollutant removal and antibacterial action.
• To investigate the adsorption and antibacterial properties of the novel material.
• To explore the underlying mechanisms of pollutant removal and bacterial inactivation.

Main Methods:

• Incorporation of zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) into a poly(vinyl alcohol)/poly(ionic liquid) (PVA/PIL) matrix.
• Fabrication of a PVA/PIL/ZIF-8 composite membrane.
• Evaluation of adsorption capacities for dyes (MO) and metal ions (Cu2+).
• Assessment of antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

Main Results:

• The PVA/PIL/ZIF-8 composite membrane showed high adsorption capacities: 684.47 mg/g for MO and 68.89 mg/g for Cu2+.
• The membrane achieved a 100% antibacterial rate against tested bacteria.
• Adsorption mechanisms involved electrostatic interactions and ion exchange.
• Antibacterial action resulted from combined electrostatic interaction, membrane permeability, and ZIF-8-mediated oxidative stress.

Conclusions:

• The developed PVA/PIL/ZIF-8 composite membrane is a highly effective multifunctional material for wastewater treatment.
• This strategy offers a promising approach for simultaneous removal of dyes, metal ions, and bacteria.
• The material exhibits potent and sustained antibacterial activity, addressing a critical need in water purification.