Amine-functionalized metal organic framework (NH2-MIL-125(Ti)) incorporated sodium alginate mixed matrix membranes for dehydration of acetic acid by pervaporation

Abstract

In the present paper, amine-functionalized metal organic framework (NH₂-MIL-125(Ti)) crystal nanoparticles were synthesized and incorporated into a sodium alginate (NaAlg) matrix to prepare novel NH₂-MIL-125(Ti)/NaAlg mixed matrix membranes (MMMs). The prepared NH₂-MIL-125(Ti) crystal nanoparticles and NH₂-MIL-125(Ti)/NaAlg MMMs were characterized by the Fourier transformed infrared spectrum, X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and contact angle goniometer. The pervaporation performance of the as-prepared NH₂-MIL-125(Ti)/NaAlg MMMs have been tested and compared with a pristine NaAlg membrane for dehydrating acetic acid. The experimental results indicated that amine-functionalized NH₂-MIL-125(Ti) crystal nanoparticles were confirmed as a promising filler to improve the separation performance of NH₂-MIL-125(Ti)/NaAlg MMMs for water and acetic acid mixtures. Both the flux and selectivity of the NH₂-MIL-125(Ti)/NaAlg MMMs were significantly improved by incorporating 6 wt% of NH₂-MIL-125(Ti) nanoparticles. The pervaporation performances of NH₂-MIL-125(Ti)/NaAlg-6 MMMs were greatly influenced by feed temperature, feed acetic acid concentration and feed flow rate. In a word, the as-prepared NH₂-MIL-125(Ti)/NaAlg MMMs could be considered as potential candidates for practical acetic acid dehydration.