Synergistic Control of Permeability and Selectivity in Nanofiltration Membranes through UiO-66/Graphene Oxide Hybrid Fillers
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.66173/jenmas.2026.1Keywords:
Nanofiltration;, Thin film nanocomposite membranes, Metal organic frameworks, Chromium removal, Water treatmentAbstract
The selective removal of toxic heavy metals from water remains a critical challenge for nanofiltration membranes, where permeability–selectivity trade-offs often limit practical performance. Herein, we report the rational design of thin film nanocomposite (TFN) nanofiltration membranes incorporating zirconium-based metal organic framework UiO-66, graphene oxide (GO), and UiO-66/GO hybrid fillers via interfacial polymerization on polyacrylonitrile supports. Comprehensive structural and chemical characterization confirms that the crystalline integrity of UiO-66 and the chemical structure of the polyamide selective layer are preserved after filler incorporation, while hybridization with GO enhances filler dispersion and interfacial compatibility. Membrane performance evaluation reveals that filler morphology and hybrid architecture play a decisive role in governing transport and selectivity. TFN membranes incorporating UiO-66/GO hybrid fillers demonstrate a balanced and stable performance, achieving controlled permeability alongside enhanced rejection of multivalent chromium species. Potassium dichromate rejection significantly exceeds that of monovalent NaCl, indicating dominant Donnan electrostatic exclusion reinforced by filler-regulated transport pathways. Surface wettability analysis further shows that hybrid filler incorporation enables tunable hydrophilicity without compromising membrane integrity. This work establishes UiO-66/GO hybrid fillers as an effective strategy for overcoming the limitations of single-component TFN membranes and provides a mechanistic framework for developing next-generation nanofiltration membranes targeting selective removal of toxic multivalent contaminants from water.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Muhammad Ammar Farooq, Noaman Ul Haq, Ghulam Muhammad, Hira Naveed (Author)
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