Electrospun MOF-loaded polyamide membranes for Y3+ radioisotopes removal

The environmental impact of radionuclides, found in nuclear waste, nuclear power plants, agriculture, industrial effluents, research centers, and nuclear medicine facilities, is highly important, especially in the emerging nuclear era. Prior to its stabilization and permanent disposal, the development of appropriate techniques for radionuclide removal from the environment is a critical topic. Particular attention is given to materials that are easy to synthesize, manipulate, and demonstrate high pollutant removal efficiency. Among different radionuclides, yttrium isotopes are one the most common products associated with nuclear power activities. Polyamide (PA) and PA-MOF (MOF - metal-organic framework) nanofibrous composite membranes (containing 1% and 10% MOF), obtained via electrospinning, were investigated as sorption materials for yttrium ions. The highest removal efficiency of 76% was achieved using PA from simulated seawater samples at pH 5.7. Microstructural and morphological characterization of the prepared membrane samples confirmed the existence of both crystalline and amorphous phases of polyamide and wrinkled fiber arrangement with a diameter of less than 0.5 µm. Agglomerates of MOF particles, ranging in size from 2 to 8 µm, are embedded between the PA fibers. Changes in the lattice vibrations corresponding to the CH2- groups, observed in the range 1420-1475 cm-1, indicated that hydrogen bonding interactions were favorable for the sorption process of yttrium ions on the prepared materials.