Fabrication of PES membrane loaded with Fe, Ni-BMOF/g-C3N4 nanomaterials and investigation of photocatalytic removal, antifouling and permeability properties in cephalexin aqueous solution

• PVP improved the membrane's pore-formation, filtration, and photocatalytic qualities. • To create a mixed-matrix membrane, MIL-88B (Fe, Ni), g-C3N4, and g-C3N4/MIL-88B (Fe, Ni) were immobilized within the PES. • The combined action of sepration and photocatalysis mechanisms improved cephalexin elimination. • Fe, Ni -bMOFs/g-C3N4- PES can effectively degrade cephalexin PES/g-C 3 N 4 -MIL88B (Fe, Ni) composite membrane was created by growing the crystals of bimetal-organic frameworks MIL88B (Fe, Ni) on g-C 3 N 4 nanosheets by hydrothermal method as a new photocatalyst. These nanoparticles were used in the polyethersulfone-based membrane matrix in the Cross-flow ultrafiltration system was used to degrade cephalexin antibiotics (CPX) under visible light irradiation. The heterogeneous structures formed between MIL88B (Fe, Ni) and g-C 3 N 4 , improved the photocatalytic performance, electron-hole separation and antifouling properties of the PES/g-C 3 N 4 -MIL88B (Fe, Ni) composite membrane. Under visible light irradiation, compared to PES/g-C 3 N 4 and PES/MIL88B (Fe, Ni), the composite membrane of PES-g-C 3 N 4 /MIL88B (Fe, Ni) exhibited greater photocatalytic activity. CPX removal efficiency of 72% and pure water flux of 720 kg/m 2 .h was reported by PES/g-C 3 N 4 -MIL88B (Fe, Ni) membrane. This research showed that the photocatalytic membrane reactor (PMR) is an effective and sustainable system for wastewater treatment.