Novel antifouling nano-enhanced thin-film composite membrane containing cross-linkable acrylate-alumoxane nanoparticles for water softening

A novel thin-film composite (TFC) nanofiltration membrane was prepared using polymerization of pyrrole monomers on the PES ultrafiltration membrane. To improve the characteristics of hydrophobic polypyrrole (PPy) thin-film layer, cross-linkable acrylate-functionalized alumoxane nanoparticles with different concentrations were embedded into the thin-film during polymerization process, and thinfilm nanocomposite (TFNC) membranes were prepared. The characteristics and performance of TFC and TFNC membranes were assessed through the morphological analyses (SEM, AFM), measurement of hydrophilicity and solid-liquid interfacial free energy, water permeability and Mg2+ removal tests. Addition of proper amount of nanoparticles into the polymerization mixture led to the preparation of membranes with more hydrophilic, thinner and smoother active layer as well as higher water permeability compared to TFC control membrane. TFNC membrane prepared with 0.025 g of nanoparticles was the most efficient membrane since it exhibited the highest rejection of MgCl2 and MgSO4 salts. Antifouling capability of membranes, in terms of flux recovery and fouling parameters, demonstrated the high tolerance of TFNC against fouling. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.