Lavoisier framework MIL-53(Al) incorporated PEBA membranes for pervaporation separation of aniline from water

Lavoisier framework MIL-53(Al) was incorporated into the polyether block amide (PEBA-2533) to prepare PEBA/MIL-53(Al) hybrid membranes with different loadings and to be used for pervaporation separation of aniline from water. X-ray diffraction results confirmed that MIL-53(Al) was successfully synthesized. The results of scanning electron microscopy and laser particle size analysis showed that the particle size of MIL-53(Al) was in the nano-scale range. The hybrid membranes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry and water contact angle. The swelling behavior and separation performance of the hybrid membranes were also investigated. The results indicated that the hybrid membranes demonstrated good thermal stability. When the mass fraction of MIL-53(Al) was less than 20%, MIL-53(Al) was evenly dispersed in the polymer phase, and agglomeration occured when the loading amount continued to increase. The crystallinity of hybrid membranes decreased with the increase of MIL-53(Al) loading. The introduction of MIL-53(Al) enhanced the hydrophobicity and swelling of the hybrid membranes. When the feed temperature was 60℃, the downstream pressure was 400 Pa and the mass fraction of aniline was 3.6%, the hybrid membrane (M-20) with MIL-53(Al) mass fraction of 20% exhibited the best comprehensive separation performance. The permeation flux reached to 2.15 kg/(m2•h) and the separation factor was high as 264. The long-term test results for 12 days showed that the separation performance of the hybrid membranes had no significant change and can meet the requirements of pervaporation application. © 2020, Chemical Industry Press. All right reserved.