Preparation and Characterization of Mixed-matrix Composite PDMS Membrane Based on UiO-66 Metal-organic Framework for the Desulfurization of Gasoline by Pervaporation Method

In this study, the pervaporation method was used for the desulfurization of gasoline. Thiophene was used as a sulfur agent and n-heptane as a representative of hydrocarbon compounds in gasoline. Hybrid membranes were fabricated with active layers composed of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and metal-organic framework UiO-66, together with support layers composed of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to characterize nanoparticles and synthesized membranes. Furthermore, the effect of UiO-66 incorporation on swelling and pervaporation performance of the hybrid membranes was evaluated. The optimal performance was achieved when the weight fraction of UiO-66 to PDMS was 8% with a flux of 10.73 kg.m-2h-1 (increased by 90% compared with the PDMS control membrane) and an enrichment factor of 3.96 (increased by 27% compared with the PDMS control membrane).