Amino-functionalized UiO-66-doped mixed matrix membranes with high permeation performance and fouling resistance

For the reduction of bovine serum proteins from wastewater, a novel mixed matrix membrane was prepared by functionalizing the substrate material poly aryl ether ketone followed with carboxyl groups(C-SPAEKS) and then addition of amino-functionalized UiO-66-NH2(Am-UiO-66-NH2). Amino-functionalization of UiO-66 was accomplished by melamine, followed by an amidation reaction to immobilize Am-UiO-66-NH2 was immobilized on the surface of the membrane as well as in the pore channels, which enhanced the hydrophilicity of the membrane surface while increasing the negative potential of the membrane surface. This nanoparticle-loaded ultrafiltration membrane has good permeation performance with a pure water flux of up to 482.3 L·m–2·h–1 for C-SPAEKS/Am-UiO-66-NH2 and a retention rate of up to 98.7% for BSA-contaminated solutions. Meanwhile, after several hydrophilic modifications, the flux recovery of BSA contaminants by this series of membranes was increased from 56.2% to 80.55% of pure membranes. The results of ultrafiltration flux time tests performed at room temperature showed that the series of ultrafiltration membranes remained relatively stable over a test time of 300 min. Thus, the newly developed mixed matrix membrane showed potential for high efficiency and stability in the wastewater treatment containing bovine serum proteins.