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High-flux and anti-fouling membrane distillation membrane with VOC capture ability enabled by ZIF-8

Author

Listed:
  • Dafei Sheng

    (Beijing Institute of Technology)

  • Xinlin Li

    (Beijing Institute of Technology)

  • Xin Huang

    (Beijing Institute of Technology)

  • Dou Ma

    (Beijing Institute of Technology)

  • Chao Sun

    (Beijing Institute of Technology)

  • Yuhao Zhu

    (Beijing Institute of Technology)

  • Xiaoqi Wang

    (PetroChina Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration & Development)

  • Zhipeng Wang

    (Lanzhou University)

  • Xiao Feng

    (Beijing Institute of Technology)

  • Shuang Zhao

    (Beijing Institute of Technology)

  • Bo Wang

    (Beijing Institute of Technology)

Abstract

Seawater desalination and wastewater purification from brackish water, shale gas extraction, and industrial processes remain vital but challenging. Membrane distillation offers a promising solution yet struggles with low flux, membrane fouling, and the permeation of volatile organic compounds alongside water vapor. Here, we introduce an omniphobic ZIF-8 composite membrane that traps volatile organic compounds under vacuum through crystal phase transitions and enhances water evaporation via linkage swing within hydrophobic micropores. This membrane, with a 92% ZIF-8 loading, fabricated through thermally induced phase separation, hot-pressing, and surface coating, can process over 38,000 L of water with 10 ppm contaminants per square meter without needing reactivation. Achieving a normalized flux of 71.8 L m–2 h–1 bar–1, it outperforms conventional membranes by fivefold in treating 10.5 wt% saline water, while maintaining excellent cyclic stability over 900 h and high anti-fouling properties. This work presents an effective approach for sustainable water purification.

Suggested Citation

  • Dafei Sheng & Xinlin Li & Xin Huang & Dou Ma & Chao Sun & Yuhao Zhu & Xiaoqi Wang & Zhipeng Wang & Xiao Feng & Shuang Zhao & Bo Wang, 2025. "High-flux and anti-fouling membrane distillation membrane with VOC capture ability enabled by ZIF-8," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-63267-8
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-63267-8
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