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. 2022 Apr 17;12(4):436.
doi: 10.3390/membranes12040436.

Effect of the Incorporation of ZIF-8@GO into the Thin-Film Membrane on Salt Rejection and BSA Fouling

Elizabeth Gaobodiwe Masibi  1   2 , Thollwana Andretta Makhetha  1   2 , Richard Motlhaletsi Moutloali  2   3
Affiliations

Effect of the Incorporation of ZIF-8@GO into the Thin-Film Membrane on Salt Rejection and BSA Fouling

Elizabeth Gaobodiwe Masibi et al. Membranes (Basel). .

Abstract

A series of Zeolitic imidazole framework-8 (ZIF-8) clusters supported on graphene oxide (ZIF-8@GO) nanocomposites were prepared by varying the ratios of ZIF-8 to GO. The resultant nanocomposites were characterized using various techniques, such as Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy. These nanocomposites were incorporated into the thin film layer during interfacial polymerisation process of m-phenylenediamine (aqueous phase which contained the dispersed nanocomposites) and trimesoyl chloride (TMC, organic phase) at room temperature onto polyethersulfone (PES) ultrafiltration (UF) support membrane. The membrane surface morphology, cross section and surface roughness were characterized using SEM and AFM, respectively. Compared to the baseline membranes, the thin film nanofiltration (TFN) membranes exhibited improved pure water flux (from 1.66 up to 7.9 L.m-2h-1), salt rejection (from 40 to 98%) and fouling resistance (33 to 88%). Optimum ZIF-8 to GO ratio was established as indicated in observed pure water flux, salt rejection and BSA fouling resistance. Therefore, a balance in hydrophilic and porous effect of the filler was observed to lead to this observed membrane behaviour suggesting that careful filler design can result in performance gain for thin film composite (TFC) membranes for water treatment application.

Keywords: graphene oxide; interfacial polymerization; nanofiltration; thin film composite membranes; zeolitic imidazole framework-8.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Scheme 1
Scheme 1
Formation of PA layer based on trimesoyl chloride (TMC) and 1,3-phenylenediamine (MPD) through interfacial polymerization reaction [21].
Figure 1
Figure 1
FTIR spectra recorded for GO, ZIF-8 and ZIF-8@GO composite.
Figure 2
Figure 2
SEM images of ZIF-8@GO composites (a–d) and their respective EDS analysis (a’–d’).
Figure 2
Figure 2
SEM images of ZIF-8@GO composites (a–d) and their respective EDS analysis (a’–d’).
Figure 3
Figure 3
TEM images of (a) GO, (b) ZIF-8, (c) ZIF-8@GO 0.1:1, (d) ZIF-8@GO 0.5:1, (e) ZIF-8@GO 0.9:1, (f) ZIF-8@GO 1.0:1.
Figure 4
Figure 4
XRD spectra of GO, ZIF-8 and ZIF-8@GO composites showing their evolution with increasing ZIF-8 content in the composite.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Evolution of the Raman spectra with increasing ZIF-8 content as well as the reference starting materials; (A) ZIF-8; (B) GO; (C) ZIF-8@GO 0.1:1; (D) ZIF-8@GO 0.5:1; (E) ZIF-8@GO 0.9:1; (F) ZIF-8@GO 1.0:1.
Figure 6
Figure 6
N2 sorption isotherms of GO, ZIF-8 and ZIF-8@GO composites.
Figure 7
Figure 7
TGA curves representing decomposition profiles of GO, ZIF-8 and ZIF-8@GO composites.
Figure 8
Figure 8
FTIR spectra of (A) M0-M7 composite membranes, (B), is the FTIR spectra of M0, M1, M2 and M4 whilst (C,D) are the expansions of the indicated regions of the composite membranes.
Figure 9
Figure 9
SEM surface morphology of (a) M0, (b) M1, (c) M2, (d) M3, (e) M4, (f) M5, (g) M6 and (h) M7.
Figure 10
Figure 10
Cross sectional images of (a) M0, (b) M1, (c) M2, (d) M3, (e) M4, (f) M5, (g) M6 and (h) M7. Inserts are expansions of the regions.
Figure 11
Figure 11
AFM analysis of (a) M0, (b) M1, (c) M2, (d) M3, (e) M4, (f) M5, (g) M6, and (h) M7.
Figure 12
Figure 12
The contact angle of M0, M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, and M7.
Figure 13
Figure 13
Pure water flux of M0, M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, and M7.
Figure 14
Figure 14
Salt rejection performance of the prepared membranes exhibiting the effects of GO and ZIF-8 on mono- and multivalent ions.
Figure 15
Figure 15
Permeate flux decline during BSA filtration of the prepared NF membranes.
Figure 16
Figure 16
Water flux recovery ratios of the TFC membranes.
Figure 17
Figure 17
Fouling resistance ratio of M0–M7 membranes.
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