Hybrid membranes loaded with rhenium apparent nanoparticles for dialytically-driven hydrogenation of 4-nitrophenol and simultaneous separation of 4-aminophenol

This study focuses on developing catalytic dialysis membranes incorporating rhenium (Re) apparent nanoparticles (nPs) to enable simultaneous reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) and extraction of 4-aminophenol (4AP). To reach this aim, membranes based on interpolymer networks (IPNs) of polyethylene and styrene-codivinylbenzene were synthesized, chlorosulfonated, aminated, and functionalized with Re apparent nPs. These membranes were tested in a dialysis cell where a simultaneous reduction of 4-NP and separation of 4-AP was achieved. The pseudo-first order rate constants for the reaction reached 4.07 x 10- 2 min- 1, with 34-50 % of 4AP successfully extracted from the reaction environment. Notably, the process achieved high molecular-level purity of the reaction product without residual 4-NP in the receiving solution. These findings suggest that IPN membranes loaded with Re apparent nPs offer a viable solution for the environmental remediation of nitroaromatic compounds, and the sustainable production of aromatic amines.