Prepare of sunlight response NH2-MIL-125/PES composites ultrafiltration membrane for flux incrementation and fouling alleviation

In this paper, a novel hydrophilic composite polyethersulfone (PES) ultrafiltration membrane was prepared by blending sunlight response photocatalyst NH2-MIL-125 via the phase inversion method. The physical-chemistry performance of membrane was carried out by XRD, FTIR, UV-VIS/DRS, contact angle, and cross-section SEM images. The separation ability, anti-fouling ability, and self-cleaning efficiency of ultrafiltration membrane were analyzed by ultrafiltration experiment using the congo red solution. The results indicate that fouling resistance and the flux recovery ratio of ultrafiltration membrane is significantly improved, and it has higher solar response energy. There was no significant change in the rejection ratio of pollutants before and after illumination. For the pristine PES membrane and the 0.5% NH2-MIL-125/PES nanocomposite membrane, the water flux recovery ratio (FRR) could increase from 37.84% to 77.09%, and the Rr could increase from 22.22% to 44.09%, and the Rir could decrease from 67.11% to 47.09%. In a conclusion, the addition of NH2-MIL-125 at a low concentration could result in membranes with more pure water flux, better rejection, and good fouling resistance compared to the unfilled PES membrane.