Zeolitic imidazolate framework-polyvinylpyrrolidone-polyethersulfone composites membranes: From synthesis to the detailed pollutant removal from wastewater using cross flow system

Herein, zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-8) - Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) - Polyethersulfone (PES) composites (ZPP) with different amounts of ZIF-8 (1%, 2% and 3% denoted as ZPP-1, ZPP-2 and ZPP-3, respectively) were prepared. ZIF-8 particles have been synthesized individually. Then they are mixed with PES and PVP/PES and converted into membrane films. The materials including ZIF-8, PES, PVP/PES, ZPP-1, ZPP-2 and ZPP-3 were characterized by FTIR, XRD, AFM, SEM, BET, TEM, contact angle, and optical microscopy. The prepared membrane was used to remove Malachite green (MG) using a cross flow system. The outcomes showed that the ZPP hybrid membrane had higher dye removal ability. The membrane is made in an optimum state of 99.6% of the Malachite green (MG) removal from the wastewater at a flow rate of 12.42 L/m2 h. These results indicate that the ZPP membrane prepared in this way without the need for any special preparation can be a good option for the dye removal process. The prepared membranes have good efficiency and stability under different operating pressures.