Enhanced catalytic activity of zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIF-8) polyelectrolyte complex composites membranes by laser etching

The effect of laser etching on the surface properties of composite polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) based membranes as mixed matrix membranes was studied. The PECs were prepared by the stoichiometric mixing of cationic PDDA (poly(diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride)) and anionic PSS (poly(sodium 4-styrene sulfonate)) as polyelectrolytes with various contents of ZIF-8 as filler. Composite membranes usually display improved bulk properties depending on the nature of the filler, but the surface properties are often dictated by the matrix covering the surface. The PEC composite membranes were then subjected to laser etching, resulting in the enhanced exposure of embedded ZIF-8 particles within the PEC structure in an attempt to improve the surface properties of the composite membrane. The crystal structure, morphology, and distribution of zinc at the PECs surface, before and after laser etching, were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), respectively. In order to evaluate the improvement of the surface properties of the laser-etched membranes, a model experiment involving a catalytic reaction was chosen. The pristine and laser treated surfaces were tested for their catalytic activity for the transesterification of triglycerides present in soybean oil with methanol at a temperature of 150°C. Interestingly, the laser-etched PECs displayed substantially enhanced activity compared to the original composite PEC membranes as a result of surface erosion. These results could be interesting for the future development of composite membranes with improved surface properties where the filler needs to expose the surface of the membranes.