Energy-Efficient and Eco-Conscious Elimination of Microplastics and Toxic Contaminants Using 3D MOF Integrated Hollow Fiber Membrane Via Ultrafiltration

The rapid build-up of hazardous pollutants from industrialization has led to contamination of aquatic ecosystems with microplastics (MPs), dyes, and heavy metals, creating environmental and public health risks that necessitate effective advanced water purification methods. Traditional techniques are often inefficient, expensive, and cause secondary pollution, emphasizing the need for advanced membrane-based treatments. In this study, we developed an innovative Polyethersulfone hollow fiber membrane (HFM) embedded with a hierarchical ZIF-8@NH ₂ -MIL125(Ti) Metal-Organic Framework composite for efficient water purification. Detailed physicochemical characterization confirmed the successful synthesis of the MOF composite. The synergistic effects of ZIF-8 and NH ₂ -MIL125(Ti) MOFs improved the membranes' hydrophilicity, Pure Water Flux (PWF), anti-fouling ability, and rejection performance. The composite was integrated into the polymer matrix to produce the HFM via the Non-Solvent Induced Phase Separation method. Additional tests, including Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy, contact angle measurement, atomic force microscopy, a Universal Testing Machine, and Membrane Zeta Potential analysis, showed improved surface structure, mechanical strength, and wettability. Performance testing showed a notable increase in PWF from 90.49 L·m ^− 2 ·h ^− 1 for the ZM-0 to 159.07 L·m ^− 2 ·h ^− 1 for the ZM-2 membrane, with rejection efficiencies of 36.3% and 97% for P(St-co-MMA) microplastics, 67.66% and 99.5% for Crystal Violet, 77% and 86% for Reactive Orange 16, 48.4% and 87% for Hg ²⁺ , and 57.9% and 69.8% for Pb ²⁺ , respectively. This research highlights that an energy-efficient MOF-engineered HFMs enables high-performance, low-energy removal of diverse aquatic pollutants, offering a sustainable platform for advanced filtration technologies. Further development could enable scaling for industrial use, supporting the goal of clean water access.