Furfural separation from aqueous solution by pervaporation membrane mixed with metal organic framework MIL-53(Al) synthesized via high efficiency solvent-controlled microwave

Abstract Furfural is a typical biomass-derived platform chemical. Conventional processes for furfural production are uneconomical and energy-intensive because only about 3–6 wt% of furfural in the hydrolysate needs to be separated. In this study, a series of mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) were prepared by incorporating MIL-53(Al) particles (MAPs) into poly (ether-block-amide) (PEBA 2533) matrix for pervaporation separation of furfural from aqueous solutions. The MAPs with anisotropic morphology and tunable particle size were precisely synthesized by a high-efficiency solvent-controlled microwave synthetic strategy. Effects of MAPs on the microstructures, physicochemical properties of MAPs/PEBA MMMs were investigated in detail through SEM, EDS, XRD, FTIR, TGA, N2 adsorption and contact angle measurements. The experimental results suggested that compared with the PEBA control membrane, the addition of MAPs notably reduced the permeation energy barrier for furfural, but not for water. The coin-like MAPs-16.7 filled MMMs presented the optimal separation performance, which exceeded other furfural-permselective membranes. Impressively, a high total flux of 3800 g∙m−2∙h−1 and an adequate furfural/water separation factor of 50.2 was achieved in PV separation of 1 wt% furfural aqueous solution at 80 °C, which could substantially reduce capital investment and equipment footprint. Furthermore, a continuous testing was operated for 200 h in ternary furfural/acetic acid/water simulated hydrolysate, highlighting the long-term membrane stability in realistic applications. High performance and long-term stability made MAPs/PEBA MMMs potential candidates for industrial furfural production.