Preparation and application of metal–organic framework-based mixed matrix membranes for water treatment

Abstract

Membrane technology has been widely used in the field of water treatment, and the synthesis of membranes with better separation effects and better anti-pollution performances is also the focus of current research. Metal–organic framework materials (MOFs) have attracted extensive attention in many fields in recent years, especially in the synthesis of membranes with excellent water treatment and purification functions. Mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) prepared by adding MOFs to a polymer matrix can improve the performance of the membranes more effectively. In this paper, the advantages of representative MOFs and the preparation method of MOFs-based composite membranes are introduced. Compared with other traditional fillers, MOFs-based MMMs have more advantages in the separation process. It has been successfully integrated with the MOF membranes prepared, and various membrane processes are used in wastewater treatment or seawater desalination processes, for example, forward osmosis, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, and reverse osmosis. At last, insights and viewpoints are put forward on research contents and development directions in the future. The membrane based on MOFs has excellent separation properties, low biological contamination, and high-water permeation flux, so it is expected to become the leading water treatment technology (in particular, desalination and wastewater treatment).