Application of a functionalized thin-film composite nanofiltration membrane in water desalination

To prepare a thin-film nanocomposite (TFN) nanofiltration (NF) membrane, characterized with high desalination rate and antifouling performance, carboxylated multi-walled magnetic 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic acid carbon nanotubes (hereafter, the C-MWCNT-MBTCA) with a choice of hydrophilic groups were initially synthesized in this study, and then incorporated into the polyamide (PA) layer via interfacial polymerization (IP). After that, the surface morphology and hydrophilicity of the fabricated NF membrane was examined by the field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and water contact angle measurements, respectively. To assess the membrane application, the solutions (2000 mg/L) of sodium sulfate (Na2SO4), magnesium sulfate (MgSO4), calcium chloride (CaCl2), and sodium chloride (NaCl) were consistently tested. On account of the ample carboxylic acid (R-COOH) groups in the modified TFN membrane, the study outcomes revealed that the given membrane could enhance the flux along with the desalination rate upon the addition of the C-MWCNT-MBTCA (0.04 wt%). Likewise, the pure water flux significantly grew from 58.8 to 110.5 Lm-2h−1 after the utilization of the C-MWCNT-MBTCA (0.04 wt%), and the Na2SO4 removal rate promoted from 87 to 98 %. Ultimately, it was established that the C-MWCNT-MBTCA could be used as an economical modifying agent to boost the performance of NF membranes for water desalination purposes.