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

The efficient removal of harmful dyes, metal ions, and bacteria from wastewater remains challenging due to their high chemical stability and low affinity for many conventional adsorbents. In this work, a high-performance composite membrane was constructed by incorporating zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) into a poly(vinyl alcohol)/poly(ionic liquid) (PVA/PIL) matrix. This strategic design, incorporating both PIL and ZIF-8, aims to achieve efficient adsorption and antibacterial action. As a result, the PVA/PIL/ZIF-8 composite membrane exhibits remarkable adsorption capacities of 684.47 and 68.89 mg/g for MO and Cu²⁺, respectively. The primary adsorption mechanisms were attributed to electrostatic interactions and ion exchange. Furthermore, the composite membrane exhibited excellent antimicrobial activity, achieving a 100% antibacterial rate against common Gram-positive/-negative bacteria. This antibacterial mechanism, which combines electrostatic interaction, membrane permeability, and ZIF-8-mediated oxidative stress, endows the PVA/PIL/ZIF-8 membrane with potent and sustained antibacterial activity. This study provides a promising strategy for developing multifunctional membrane materials capable of simultaneously removing dyes, metal ions, and bacteria from industrial wastewater.