SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF HYBRID MEMBRANES CONTAINING COPPER MOF WITH POTENTIAL USE IN WASTEWATER TREATMENT
Membrane separation process, Hybrid membranes, Copper,
Effluent treatment
Membrane separation processes (PSM) are classified as a promising technology due to their technical and economic viability. PSM present inherent limitations to the separation process due to concentration polarization and scale formation on the membrane surface. Aiming to minimize these limitations and increase their separation performance, the development of hybrid membranes has been observed, through the incorporation of inorganic particles in the polymer matrix of the membrane. Due to their eccentric characteristics, metalorganic networks (MOFs), a class of porous materials, have been widely used in the production of hybrid membranes improving the separation properties. Given the above, the present work aims to synthesize hybrid membranes containing a polymeric matrix consisting of polyetherimide (PEI) impregnated with MOF based on the ligand 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate (bdc) and Cu(II). The hybrid membranes obtained were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared absorption spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TG), and by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Hybrid membranes were analyzed for hydrophobicity by measuring contact angles, stability against an oxidizing environment, porosity measurements and their performance regarding the permeation flux. The membranes were submitted to an oxidation test to investigate their activity as catalysts activating H2O2 in the removal of the blue of methylene. Hybrid membranes showed a higher percentage of removal when compared to membranes containing only PEI, evidencing its catalytic activity. In addition to indicating a high dispersion of MOFCu in the polymeric matrix, this being a point important in the synthesis of hybrid membranes. The hybrid membrane with the highest content of MOFCu showed a more pronounced hydrophilic character and greater hydraulic permeability. Therefore, incorporating MOF into the polymeric matrix had positive results for the synthesis of hybrid membranes.