Fabrication of a MIL-53(Al) Nanocomposite Membrane and Potential Application in Desalination of Dye Solutions

This study reports the fabrication of mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) using immersion precipitation phase inversion for promising application in desalination of dye solutions. Aromatic poly(m-phenylene isophthalamide) is used as the polymer material, and the metal organic framework MIL-53(Al) is added to develop integrally skinned asymmetric membranes. Successful dispersion of MIL-53(Al) particles into the membrane -separating layer is confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. The optimum performance of the membranes is obtained at 0.5 wt % MIL -53(Al) concentration. In particular, the M-0.5 membrane is planned for use in separating dye/salt aqueous mixtures. It is observed that the M-0.5 membrane has a rejection for NaCl and Na2SO4 below 11% and 37%, respectively, in mixed salt/dye solutions. Additionally, the M-0.5 membrane is found to have a rejection rate of 83.9%, 98.3%, and 99.8% for nitroso-R salt, xylenol orange, and ponceau S, respectively, in mixed Na2SO4/dye solutions. The rejection rate for Na2SO4 is lower than that of some commercial nanofiltration membranes (NF90, NF270, and DK). The membrane is promising for dye desalination in industrial-scale applications.