TFN Membrane Fabricated by a Gyroid-like PE Support, a Basil Seed Mucilage-Fe(III) Interlayer, and a Polyamide Active Layer Incorporated with MIL-101(Cr)-NH2 Nanoparticles

In this study, we aim to report the preparation of a thin-film nanocomposite (TFN) membrane with promising performance for solvent-resistant nanofiltration applications. In this respect, a blend sheet of two immiscible polymers, that is, high-density polyethylene-polystyrene (PS), compatibilized with styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene, was made. Subsequently, through extracting the dispersed phase (PS/compatibilizer) from the blend sheet, the PE membrane support was fabricated. After that, basil seed mucilage (BSM) was extracted from basil seeds through a state-of-the-art approach, by which a state-of-the-art environmental-friendly BSM-Fe(III) cross-linked interlayer was prepared on the surface of the PE support. Finally, the polyamide active layer was prepared via m- phenylenediamine and trimesoyl chloride monomers incorporated with MIL-101(Cr)-NH2 nanoparticles. To draw a comparison, a TFC membrane was also prepared through a similar approach, except that no nanoparticles were incorporated into the active layer. The performance of the TFN and TFC membranes was studied in terms of rejecting various dyes dissolved in methanol, based on which extraordinary performance, including dye rejection as high as 99.6, 99.8, 99.8, and 99.9% for methylene blue, crystal violet, rhodamine B, and methyl green, respectively, extraordinary solvent resistance, high methanol flux of 4.4 L/m2 h bar, as well as great methanol permeance of 9.1 L/m2 h bar, after dimethylformamide activation, was obtained by the TFN membrane.