Work

UiO-66-(COOH)2 Decorated Collagen Fiber Membranes for High-Efficiency Separation of Cationic Surfactant-Stabilized Oil/Water Emulsions: Toward Sustainable and Robust Wastewater Treatment

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Membrane separation is a promising technology for emulsified wastewater treatment. However, conventional membrane often suffer from limitations such as low mechanical strength, the inherent “trade-off” effect between flux and separation efficiency, and poor antifouling properties. To address these challenges, we report a novel composite membrane (CFM-UiO-66-(COOH)2) fabricated by in situ growth of functionalized UiO-66-(COOH)2 on a mechanically robust collagen fiber membrane (CFM) substrate. The resulting composite leverages the inherent properties of the CFM, along with the controlled generation of charge-neutralization demulsification sites and size-sieving filtration layers from the UiO-66-(COOH)2. This CFM-UiO-66-(COOH)2 exhibited superwetting behavior and achieved efficient separation of cationic surfactant-stabilized oil-in-water micro- and nano-emulsions. Specifically, the CFM-UiO-66-(COOH)2 achieved separation efficiencies exceeding 99.85% for various cationic O/W emulsions, with permeation fluxes ranging from 178.9 to 225.9 L·m−2·h−1. The membrane also demonstrated robust antifouling properties, excellent acid/alkali resistance, high abrasion durability, and good biocompatibility. Importantly, stable performance was maintained over six consecutive separation cycles. These characteristics, combined with the electrostatic interactions between carboxyl groups on the UiO-66-(COOH)2 and cationic contaminants, suggest that CFM-UiO-66-(COOH)2 holds significant potential for practical and sustainable wastewater treatment applications.

Source: Polymers

DOI: 10.3390/polym17212879

Authors: Guifang Yang, Qiu Wu, Gao Xiao, Xiaoxia Ye

Institutions: Putian University, Fuzhou University

Language: English

Topic: Surface Modification and Superhydrophobicity

Subfield: Surfaces, Coatings and Films

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Clean water and sanitation, Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,258