This research work aims to develop low-cost hybrid polymeric membranes with high chiral resolution capacity. Mesoporous materials (MCM-41) obtained from rice husk biomass was used to support the chiral selector (S,S)-1-(3,5-dinitrobenzamido)-tetrahydrophenanthrene (Whelk-O®1). This material was incorporated in the polyethersulfone matrix and the structural variables, such as the incorporated content and the polymer-mesoporous material compatibility was investigated regarding the chiral resolution capacity. The mixed matrix membranes (MMMs), prepared by the phase inversion method, were characterized by FTIR, XPS and SEM confirming the presence of the MCM-41-(S,S)-Whelk-O®1. Membrane enantioselectivity was evaluated through filtration tests with the enantiomeric pair of the naproxen and using a xanthone derivative, 6-methoxy-9-oxo-N-(1-(p-tolylethyl)-9H-xanthene-2-carboxamide. The concentration of both enantiomers throughout the filtration was monitored by liquid chromatography equipped with a Whelk-O®1 column (25 cm, 4.6 mm i.d., 5 mm particle size, 100 Å pore size) from Regis Technologies. The MMMs exhibited an excellent enantioselectivity (α = 16.78), for xanthone derivative.

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