Journal article
Modeling and optimization of PVDF-based polymer inclusion membranes for high-selectivity calcium-ion separation
Chemical engineering journal (Lausanne, Switzerland : 1996), v 530, 173301
Jan 2026
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Abstract
Polymer inclusion membranes (PIMs) offer major advantages over conventional liquid-liquid extraction for metal-ion separation, including superior stability, reduced carrier loss, and enhanced selectivity. In this work, we develop a mathematical model, perform multi-parameter optimization, and experimentally validate the performance of a newly engineered PIM for selective calcium-ion separation from seawater. The membrane is composed of polyvinylidene fluoride (base polymer), benzo-18-crown-6 (carrier), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (ionic liquid plasticizer), and ZIF-8 metal-organic framework (MOF) nanoparticles. Statistical analysis of 18 experiments shows that a power-transformed quadratic polynomial best describes the dependence of calcium flux on the three independent design parameters—MOF content (0–20 wt%), ionic liquid (IL) amount (0–2 g), and crown ether (CE) amount (0 − 1 g)—with an excellent fit (R2 = 0.94). Analysis of variance studies indicate that calcium flux is affected most strongly by IL amount, followed by CE amount. The optimal composition of 15 wt% MOF, 1.5 g IL, and 0.61 g CE yields a model-predicted maximum flux of 55.35 μmol∙cm−2∙h−1 and an experimental flux of 51.12 μmol∙cm−2∙h−1. The optimized membrane also exhibits high selectivity for Ca2+ over K+, Na+, and Mg2+ (138.67, 392.52, and 1256.00, respectively). Characterization by FTIR, XRD, SEM, and BET confirms successful incorporation of all membrane components without chemical degradation. This environmentally friendly, single-step separation process provides a compelling alternative to energy-intensive, conventional, multi-step extraction methods and offers strong potential for sustainable seawater desalination and metal recovery.
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•A PVDF-based polymer inclusion membrane (PIM) was optimized for selective Ca2+ separation.•Response surface methodology identified key effects of IL, CE, and MOF composition.•Optimal PIM achieved high Ca2+ flux (51.12 μmol·cm−2·h−1) and exceptional ion selectivity.•ZIF-8 nanoparticles enhanced transport pathways and membrane stability.•The optimized PIM offers an energy-efficient, single-step alternative to multi-stage extraction.
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Details
- Title
- Modeling and optimization of PVDF-based polymer inclusion membranes for high-selectivity calcium-ion separation
- Creators
- Arash Adhami - Drexel UniversityAli Hamzehlouy - Drexel UniversityJafar Towfighi - Tarbiat Modares UniversityMasoud Soroush (Corresponding Author) - Drexel University
- Publication Details
- Chemical engineering journal (Lausanne, Switzerland : 1996), v 530, 173301
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- Number of pages
- 21
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Chemical and Biological Engineering
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001686346500001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-105029298362
- Other Identifier
- 991022158467404721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Engineering, Chemical
- Engineering, Environmental