MOF-based membranes: Preparation, modification, and oil/water separation application

The enormous potential threat to human health and the ecological environment, the oily wastewater remains a global challenge to this day. Membrane separation technology has advantages such as high energy efficiency, green and low-carbon, and continuous operation mode, making it one of the most promising means for oily wastewater treatment. Metal organic frameworks (MOFs), as a class of porous crystal materials with rich physicochemical properties and controllable functions, have shown great potential in environmental treatment over the past decade. In recent years, designing component separation membrane for functionalized MOF nanomaterials through integration has been a significant work. MOF based membranes with special wettability have been widely used in oil-water separation due to their excellent separation performance. The purpose of this review is to summarize the application of MOF based membranes in oil-water separation applications. Firstly, the synthesis and modification strategy of MOF based membranes were discussed systematically. Secondly, the principle, related kinetics and self-cleaning design of MOF based membranes with special wettability in oil-water separation were introduced. In addition, we have expanded the application of MOF-based membranes in such fields as printing and dyeing wastewater purification and seawater desalination, and discussed the environmental safety and toxicology problems in their applications. Finally, the challenges and future opportunities for the industrial implementation of MOF based membranes were summarized, aiming to provide valuable suggestions for the design and manufacture of high-performance membranes in the future.