Effects of operating parameters and coexisting ions on the efficiency of heavy metal ions removal by nano-fibrous metal-organic framework membrane filtration process

The purification process of wastewater containing heavy metal ions (HMIs) using nano-fibrous metal-organic frameworks, MOF-808, embedded polyacrylonitrile membrane has been studied. The process parameters that were evaluated included feed concentration, transmembrane pressure (TMP), and membrane thickness. The effect of coexisting cations in the solution upon the removal efficiencies of Zn2+, Cd2+, Pb2+ and Hg2+ ions was also investigated. Results from the filtration experiments indicate a substantial variation in the feed volume that the membrane can treat before the permeate lead concentration reaches the allowable limit of 10 ppb, depending on the process parameter. An increase in the membrane thickness showed a significant improvement (26%) with 440 L of the treated feed volume after doubling the membrane layer. An increase in TMP could reduce the treated feed volume by 38% while a decrease in feed concentration led to a 21% increase in the treated feed volume. In the presence of other common background cations in the solution, the removal efficiency of HMIs by adsorption onto MOF-808 dropped by 18 to 37%. This result was dependent upon the HMIs, in the presence of up to three other cations but was minimal in the presence of a single cation indicative of good selectivity. [Display omitted] •Metal-organic frameworks particles were enmeshed into polyacrylonitrile nanofiber membranes.•The membranes were used for the removal of Pb2+ ions from aqueous solution by adsorption.•The effects of transmembrane pressure, feed conc., and membrane thickness were investigated.•The presence of background ions on adsorption Zn2+, Cd2+, Pb2+ and Hg2+ ions was studied.•The filtration system could produce >500 L of pure water per m2 of membrane.