Electrospun Polyurethane-Based Nanofibrous Membranes Functionalized with UiO-66-NH₂ for Water Remediation

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Environmental Science
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• Anthropogenic activities cause significant water contamination, necessitating advanced purification materials.
• Developing efficient, sustainable, and selective water purification technologies is crucial for environmental and human health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize polyurethanes (PUs) for electrospun membrane fabrication.
• To enhance the pollutant adsorption capacity of PU membranes by incorporating metal-organic frameworks (MOFs).

Main Methods:

• Synthesis and characterization of polyurethanes with tailored segments.
• Fabrication of electrospun nanofibrous membranes from selected PUs.
• Incorporation of MOF particles into PU solutions prior to electrospinning for hybrid membrane formation.

Main Results:

• Successfully synthesized and characterized PUs, with two exhibiting suitable properties for electrospinning into ~500 nm fiber mats.
• Hybrid membranes with immobilized MOFs showed significantly enhanced methylene blue uptake (57-115 mg·m⁻² compared to 29-34 mg·m⁻² for pristine membranes).
• Enhanced adsorption attributed to synergistic effects between PU structures, MOF linkers, and increased surface area.

Conclusions:

• Electrospun PU-based membranes, especially when functionalized with MOFs, demonstrate high potential for efficient pollutant removal.
• The hybrid membranes offer a combination of structural versatility, tunable functionality, and compatibility for water purification applications.
• This study highlights a promising strategy for developing sustainable and effective materials for addressing water contamination challenges.