Elevated performance of hybrid membranes by incorporating metal organic framework CuBTC for pervaporative desulfurization of gasoline

Metal organic framework CuBTC nanoparticles were incorporated into polyether-block-amide (Pebax) to promote the transport of penetrant molecules in the membranes. The CuBTC nanoparticles can form hydrogen-bonds with the Pebax chains, thus interfered with the chain packing and tailored the free volume properties of Pebax. The channels and active metal sites of CuBTC promoted the transport of sulfur-containing molecules when the membranes were employed for gasoline desulfurization. When the filler content was 2   wt%, the optimal separation performance was achieved with a permeation flux of 4.4   kg/(m 2   h) and a thiophene enrichment factor of 6.0 at 40   °C, increased by 36% and 11% compared with the Pebax pristine membrane. The comprehensive performance of the membranes is more competitive than widely-used PDMS membranes, especially under high temperatures. A permeation flux of 16.45   kg/(m 2   h) is reached with an enrichment factor of 4.04 at 70   °C.