De novo synthesis of amino-functionalized ZIF-8 nanoparticles: Enhanced interfacial compatibility and pervaporation performance in mixed matrix membranes applying for ethanol dehydration.

[Display omitted] • A novel amino-functionalized ZIF-8 (ZIF-8-NH 2) nanoparticles were prepared and incorporated in polymeric (PVA) matrix. • The synthesized ZIF-8-NH 2 exhibits uniform morphology, smaller size, controllable pore size, enhanced hydrophilicity, and beneficial amino groups. • Mixed Matrix Membranes (MMMs) embedded with ZIF-8-NH 2 nanoparticles show better compatibility and excellent separation performance. • 7-ZIF-8-NH 2 /PVA MMM displays high separation factor and a comparable total flux. • Long-term stable operation of the ZIF-8-NH 2 /PVA MMMs have obvious production benefits in practical applications. The incorporation of attainable amine functionality in zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) is utilized to enhance the pervaporation performance for ethanol/ water separation applications. Using 2-aminobenzimidazole, a ligand with NH 2 -functionalized group, displacement of the ZIF-8 original ligand during de novo synthesis while preserving the ZIF-8 initial structure, which produces a novel mixed- linker ZIF material (ZIF-8-NH 2) with smaller nanocrystal size, controllable pore size, and enhanced hydrophilicity. A series of different mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) were fabricated by incorporating ZIF-8-NH 2 into poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) matrix. Various characterization techniques, such as FTIR, 1H NMR, XRD, SEM, TGA, and Contact angle etc. were employed to demonstrate the properties of prepared ZIF nanoparticles and the MMMs. The results indicated that ZIF-8-NH 2 and the MMMs were perfectly fabricated, which were attributed to better dispersion and compatibility between them. In particular, 7-ZIF-8-NH 2 /PVA MMM exhibited a comparable total flux of 142 g/m2·h and water/ethanol separation factor of 925, which were increased by 73 and 524%, on the basis of the pristine PVA membrane. In addition, different nanofillers, APTES crosslinking, ZIF-8-NH 2 loading, operating temperature, feed concentration, and membrane stability were evaluated in detail. This study might provide a promising prospect for designing MOF-based MMMs with the introduction of various functional groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]