Hydrophilicity-Enhanced NH2-MIL-88B(Fe) Integrated Photocatalytic Membrane Reactor for Simultaneous Rejection and Degradation of Low-Density Polyethylene in Water Matrices

Guan Yu Chen; Yu Lin Chen; Kazuki Harada; Masaaki Yoshida; Qiang Lyu; Chia Her Lin; Li Chiang Lin; Chechia Hu

doi:10.1021/acsami.5c21187

Hydrophilicity-Enhanced NH₂-MIL-88B(Fe) Integrated Photocatalytic Membrane Reactor for Simultaneous Rejection and Degradation of Low-Density Polyethylene in Water Matrices

Guan Yu Chen
, Yu Lin Chen
, Kazuki Harada
, Masaaki Yoshida
, Qiang Lyu
, Chia Her Lin
, Li Chiang Lin
, Chechia Hu^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Microplastic (MP) plastic particles with diameters of up to 5 mm have emerged as pervasive global pollutants, posing serious risks to both human and environmental health. In this study, a photocatalytic membrane reactor (PMR) was designed to perform dual functions of filtration and photocatalytic decomposition of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) particles. An NH2-modified MIL-88B(Fe) (NM88B) photocatalyst was prepared and then used as a precursor to grow a photocatalyst membrane (MRS-NM88B) on an alumina membrane via the modified reactive seeding (MRS) method. Compared with unmodified MIL-88B(Fe) (M88B), NM88B exhibited higher hydrophilicity with enhanced permeance flux and better photocatalytic performance. The PMR fabricated using the MRS-NM88B membrane successfully rejected and degraded LDPE particles, demonstrating a high LDPE particle removal efficiency of 96.9% under dark conditions and a 22.3% mass loss of LDPE particles under light irradiation. Furthermore, the PMR can be applied to real river water for effective filtration and degradation. The results demonstrate the potential of this PMR for microplastic removal and degradation in wastewater treatment applications.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	17688-17699
Number of pages	12
Journal	ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces
Volume	18
Issue number	12
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.5c21187
Publication status	Published - 2026 Apr 1
Externally published	Yes

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Keywords

amine modification
microplastic removal
photocatalytic degradation
photocatalytic membrane reactor
wastewater treatment

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Materials Science

Access to Document

10.1021/acsami.5c21187

Cite this

Chen, G. Y., Chen, Y. L., Harada, K., Yoshida, M., Lyu, Q., Lin, C. H., Lin, L. C., & Hu, C. (2026). Hydrophilicity-Enhanced NH₂-MIL-88B(Fe) Integrated Photocatalytic Membrane Reactor for Simultaneous Rejection and Degradation of Low-Density Polyethylene in Water Matrices. ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, 18(12), 17688-17699. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.5c21187

Hydrophilicity-Enhanced NH₂-MIL-88B(Fe) Integrated Photocatalytic Membrane Reactor for Simultaneous Rejection and Degradation of Low-Density Polyethylene in Water Matrices. / Chen, Guan Yu; Chen, Yu Lin; Harada, Kazuki et al.
In: ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, Vol. 18, No. 12, 01.04.2026, p. 17688-17699.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

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abstract = "Microplastic (MP) plastic particles with diameters of up to 5 mm have emerged as pervasive global pollutants, posing serious risks to both human and environmental health. In this study, a photocatalytic membrane reactor (PMR) was designed to perform dual functions of filtration and photocatalytic decomposition of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) particles. An NH2-modified MIL-88B(Fe) (NM88B) photocatalyst was prepared and then used as a precursor to grow a photocatalyst membrane (MRS-NM88B) on an alumina membrane via the modified reactive seeding (MRS) method. Compared with unmodified MIL-88B(Fe) (M88B), NM88B exhibited higher hydrophilicity with enhanced permeance flux and better photocatalytic performance. The PMR fabricated using the MRS-NM88B membrane successfully rejected and degraded LDPE particles, demonstrating a high LDPE particle removal efficiency of 96.9\% under dark conditions and a 22.3\% mass loss of LDPE particles under light irradiation. Furthermore, the PMR can be applied to real river water for effective filtration and degradation. The results demonstrate the potential of this PMR for microplastic removal and degradation in wastewater treatment applications.",

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AU - Harada, Kazuki

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