Enhanced negative charge of polyamide thin-film nanocomposite reverse osmosis membrane modified with MIL-101(Cr)-Pyz-SO3H

Negatively charged MIL-101(Cr)-Pyz-SO3H nanoparticles (NPs), with several concentrations (0.001-0.02 wt%), were used as a hydrophilic and charge modifier to make a high performance thin-film nanocomposite reverse osmosis membrane (TFC RO) through the interfacial polymerization between 1,3-phenylenediamine (MPD) and trimesoyl chloride (TMC) monomers. Surface analyses revealed smoother surfaces and higher hydrophilicity for the modified membranes. The zeta potential investigation approved rising the negative surface charge of MIL101(Cr)-Pyz-SO3H NPs embedded RO membranes. The desalination performance displayed that 0.005 wt% MIL/ RO indicated the most incredible separation efficiency for NaCl (98.05%). The desalination performance of seawater was also studied. Observations showed that 0.005 wt% MIL/RO means the best separation efficiency for seawater desalination (94.46%). Water flux for the modified membranes improved and reached the maximum value of 41.4 L/m(2).h in 0.005 wt% MIL-101(Cr)-Pyz-SO3H TFC RO membrane. The fouling resistance of the membranes was identified by filtration of humic acid (HA)/NaCl solution. The obtained results demonstrated that modified membranes improved fouling resistance, and the highest fouling resistance was recorded for 0.005 wt% MIL-101(Cr)-Pyz-SO3H TFC RO membrane.

Automated summary

Negatively charged MIL-101(Cr)-Pyz-SO3H nanoparticles were used to modify a thin-film nanocomposite reverse osmosis membrane. The modified membrane showed smoother surfaces, higher hydrophilicity, improved desalination performance, and fouling resistance. The study also found that a concentration of 0.005 wt% MIL/RO had the highest separation efficiency for both NaCl and seawater desalination.