Preparation of hybrid membranes by incorporating hydrophilic UiO-66 nanoparticles for high-performance pervaporation dehydration of aprotic solvents

Hydrophilic UiO-66 crystals with superior water adsorption ability were synthesized and incorporated into the polyimide (PI) membrane for efficient aprotic solvent separation via pervaporation. The effect of the different UiO-66 addition in the pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA)-2, 2-bis[4-(4-amlnophenoxy)phenyl]propane (BAPP)-based PI membrane on the membrane structure, thermal stability, surface hydrophilicity, solvent-resistant, and pervaporation performance was systematically studied. The UiO-66/PI hybrid membranes with small amount content (2 wt%) exhibited high hydrophilicity and excellent swelling resistance due to the superb dispersion benefiting from the excellent complexation of UiO-66 and PI chain. The effects of operational variables such as operating temperature and concentration of feed solution on the pervaporation separation performance of the hybrid membranes with different UiO-66 loadings were investigated. When the mass fraction of UiO-66 was 2 wt%, the hybrid membranes show the permeation flux of 109.7 and 57.1 g/(m 2 h) and separation factor of 34.1 and 133.9, respectively, for DMF/H 2 O and DMAc/H 2 O systems. Graphical abstract