High-performance MIL-53(Fe)-incorporated cellulose acetate membranes for efficient dye and wastewater treatment

This study reports the development of high-performance cellulose acetate (CA) membranes embedded with MIL-53(Fe), a metal organic framework (MOF), for efficient dye removal from wastewater. MIL-53(Fe) was synthesized via solvothermal methods and comprehensively characterized using XRD, FTIR, FESEM, TEM, BET, and TGA analyses. XRD and FTIR confirmed the successful formation and integration of MIL-53(Fe) within the CA matrix, while BET analysis revealed a surface area of 34.16 m²/g and pore diameter of 3.42 nm. Electron microscopy demonstrated well-defined polyhedral morphologies and layered crystalline domains, with AFM revealing an increase in surface roughness as MOF loading increased. Composite membranes exhibited enhanced thermal stability and mechanical strength, with tensile strength improving by ∼75 % at 0.75 wt.% MOF due to optimal dispersion; higher loadings led to agglomeration and performance decline. The CA/MIL-0.75 membrane achieved superior water permeability and dye rejection, removing 96 % of Safranin-O and 98 % of Direct Yellow-12. Surface densification, improved porosity, and increased hydrophilicity contributed to enhanced separation performance. Real wastewater treatment trials confirmed effective pollutant removal from textile effluent and greywater. These findings underscore the potential of MIL-53(Fe)-modified CA membranes as robust, thermally stable, and efficient materials for sustainable water purification applications.