Preparation of high performance CuBTC/PES ultrafiltration membrane for oily wastewater separation; A good strategy for advanced separation

In this work, CuBTC as an innovative metal-organic framework (MOFs) was prepared and employed as an antifouling agent, in order to polyethersulfone (PES) mixed matrix membrane modification. The prepared membranes performance was evaluated in terms of pure water flux (PWF) (29.6 kg/m(2).h), hydrophilicity (56.2 degrees(),) anti-fouling properties (flux recovery ratio (FRR) (81 %), irreversible fouling ratio (R-ir) (18.94 %) and reversible fouling ratio (R-r) (60.7 %). The membranes FRR was determined using milk powder solution (8000 mg/l) and the results illustrated that the 0.5 wt.% CuBTC membrane had the best fouling resistance with the FRR of 81 %. The optimal CuBTC/PES membrane showed the lowest roughness (Sa 3.66 nm) and minimum Rir (18.94 %). Remarkable rejection (99 %) for an oily-water emulsion separation (4000 mg/l) was achieved with an excellent FRR (99 %).