The intensifying problem of hazardous pollutants in water bodies, including industrial dyes, microplastics, heavy metals, and inorganic salts, demands the advancement of effective and sustainable treatment solutions. Traditional methods often prove inadequate due to their complexity, high costs, and potential for secondary contamination. This research presents novel fabrication of polyethersulfone (PES) ultrafiltration (UF) hollow fiber membranes (HFMs), integrated with a 3D hierarchical MIL-100(Fe)@MIL-53(Fe) metal organic framework (MOF) composite, designed to address these issues. The tailored MOF composite architecture offers superior porosity and synergistic functional sites, enhancing hydrophilicity, water flux, antifouling resistance, and selective removal efficacy. Characterization techniques, including powder XRD, FTIR, FESEM, AFM, BET, membrane, material Zeta Potential, Particle size analyzer, TGA, and water contact angle, demonstrate the successful synthesis and integration of MOFs, as well as the fabrication of composite incorporated HFMs. This work demonstrates an effective pure water flux of 148 Lm -2 h -1 and very good removal efficacy through the cross-flow ultrafiltration process. While rejection efficiency of MM-0 and MM-2 displayed 84.7% and 95.8% for P(St-co-MMA), 92% and 94.9% for PET, 57.9% and 88% for Hg 2+ , 65.4% and 99% for Pb 2+ , 67.66% and 98% for CV, 77% and 95% for RO16, 36.32% and 50.37% for Na + , and 42.56 % and 71.28% for Mg 2+, respectively. Antifouling studies established a notable flux recovery ratio and operating robustness. This study authenticates the advanced novel work that is promising for the ultrafiltration water treatment process. • 3D hierarchical MIL-100(Fe)@MIL-53(Fe) MOF integrated into PES Hollow fiber UF membranes • Significant enhancement in water flux, hydrophilicity and antifouling performance was observed • Membranes efficiently removed microplastics, heavy metals & dyes presnt in the water • Effective pure water flux of 148 Lm -2 h -1 and very good removal efficacy • Demonstrates a multifunctional and energy-efficient membrane platform for advanced water treatment
Venkatesh et al. (Wed,) studied this question.