Membrane adsorber with hierarchically porous HKUST-1 immobilized in membrane pores by flowing synthesis

A membrane adsorber with hierarchically porous HKUST-1 (HP-HKUST-1) immobilized in membrane pores has been fabricated by flowing synthesis. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) characteristics indicate that the structural integrity of the HP-HKUST-1 immobilized in the membrane pores can be kept after template agents are removed. Other characteristics prove the effective immobilization of HP-HKUST-1 in membrane pores. As a concept-of-proof, the adsorption for Congo red (CR) and Methylene blue (MB) is carried out to evaluate the adsorption performance of the membrane adsorber. The adsorption capacity for CR with 458 mg g(-1) and MB with 241 mg g(-1) can be obtained by HP-HKUST-1 powder, which is 2-3 times higher than those by HKUST-1 powder, owing to the mesopores with rich active adsorption sites. When the solution flows through the membrane adsorber, the adsorption rate for these adsorbates in the range of 0.049 g mg(-1) h(-1) and 0.129 g mg(-1) h(-1) can be obtained, which is 4-5 times higher than that by HP-HKUST-1 powder, owing to the enhanced mass transfer in the confined space of the membrane pores with micro or nano scale. After going through seven adsorption-desorption experiments, the membrane adsorber with HP-HKUST-1 immobilized shows remarkable repeatability.

Automated summary

A membrane adsorber with hierarchically porous HKUST-1 (HP-HKUST-1) immobilized in membrane pores was fabricated using flowing synthesis. The adsorbent showed a high adsorption capacity and a fast adsorption rate, as well as good repeatability.