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

Dafei Sheng, Xinlin Li, Xin Huang, Dou Ma, Chao Sun, Yuhao Zhu, Xiaoqi Wang, Zhipeng Wang, Xiao Feng (), Shuang Zhao () and Bo Wang ()
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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

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: 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.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-63267-8

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