Metal-organic frameworks decorated pomelo peel cellulose nanofibers membranes for high performance dye rejection

In this work, the cellulose nanofibers based membranes with both high dye solution flux and rejection rates were obtained. The cellulose nanofibers (PPCNFs) were prepared from pomelo peels by simple H2O2 oxidation process, decorated with ZIF-8 crystals, and vacuum filtrated to form composite membranes (PPCNFs@ZIFx). Ascribing to the highly porous structures of ZIF-8, as well as their uniform and stable deposition on the surfaces of PPCNFs, the resultant membranes were mechanically strong (tensile strength up to -72.25 MPa), surface area rich (199.46 m2/g), and with a maximal dye solution flux of -32.3 L m & xfffd; 2 h-1 bar & xfffd; 1 and dye rejection rates larger than 85 % (89.95 % for methyl blue, 98.83 % for methyl violet, 95.91 % for malachite green, 95.36 % for rhodamine 6 G, and a high rejection rate of -98.6 % toward methyl violet after 30-day cycles). Thus, this work paved a simple and green way to fabricate cellulose nanofibers based membranes with high performance in the remediation of dye contaminated water.

Automated summary

In this study, cellulose nanofibers based membranes were successfully prepared with high dye solution flux and rejection rates. The membranes were made from cellulose nanofibers obtained from pomelo peels through a simple oxidation process and decorated with ZIF-8 crystals. The resulting membranes exhibited mechanical strength, high surface area, and excellent dye rejection rates, making them suitable for remediation of dye contaminated water.