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Published on: August 16, 2018
Silane-Modified ZIF-8/PDMS Mixed Matrix Membranes for Sorption-Selective Furfural Recovery via Pervaporation
Chavakorn Tonthanasutthivong1, Kajornsak Faungnawakij2, Apiwat Surananthsatian1
1Center of Excellence in Particle and Material Processing Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
This study developed advanced mixed matrix membranes using Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8 (ZIF-8) within polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) for efficient furfural recovery. Surface-modified ZIF-8/PDMS membranes significantly boosted furfural separation performance via pervaporation.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Chemical Engineering
- Separation Science
Background:
- Efficient recovery of furfural from aqueous solutions is crucial for biorefinery applications.
- Conventional separation methods often face challenges in achieving high selectivity and flux.
- Mixed matrix membranes offer potential for enhanced separation performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To fabricate and characterize Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8 (ZIF-8) incorporated polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) mixed matrix membranes.
- To investigate the impact of ZIF-8 loading and surface modification on membrane properties and pervaporation performance for furfural recovery.
- To evaluate the potential of these membranes for efficient and selective furfural separation from aqueous streams.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of mixed matrix membranes by incorporating ZIF-8 nanoparticles into a PDMS matrix.
- Surface modification of ZIF-8 using silane functional groups (SM-ZIF-8) to enhance furfural affinity.
- Systematic investigation of filler loading effects on membrane morphology, hydrophobicity, sorption capacity, and pervaporation separation performance.
Main Results:
- ZIF-8 incorporation improved PDMS membrane hydrophobicity and furfural sorption, increasing furfural permeability.
- Surface-modified SM-ZIF-8 further enhanced furfural affinity and transport, leading to significant permeability and selectivity improvements.
- The optimal 15 wt% SM-ZIF-8/PDMS membrane achieved a furfural permeability of 37.14 × 105 Barrer and a separation factor of 26.84, yielding a 10-fold furfural enrichment.
Conclusions:
- Surface-modified ZIF-8/PDMS mixed matrix membranes demonstrate superior performance for furfural recovery via pervaporation.
- The separation mechanism is primarily governed by sorption selectivity, tunable via filler selection and modification.
- These membranes show significant promise for efficient and cost-effective furfural separation in industrial applications.
