Investigating the efficiency of a ceramic-based thin-film composite nanofiltration membrane for dyes removal

Abstract

This study focuses on producing polyamide thin-film composite (TFC) ceramic membranes using interfacial polymerization, resulting in a polyamide layer on ceramic tubular substrates (Al2O3). These Al2O3 substrates possess robust mechanical and physical traits, featuring a porous surface structure. TFC membranes exhibit a thin, dense structure with root-like nanostructures on the ceramic base, with a thickness of around 260 nm. Atomic force microscopy confirms the smoother surface of TFC membranes with an average roughness value of 18 nm compared to ceramic tubular substrates. TFC membranes exhibit negative zeta potentials within a pH range of 4.7–10, while ceramic tubular substrates show more complex zeta potential behavior. Both substrate and TFC membranes are hydrophilic, with the TFC membrane having a slightly higher water contact angle (approximately 43 ± 1°). Zeta potential analysis reveals a negative potential of around −23 mV for the TFC membrane. In water permeability tests, the ceramic tubular substrate membrane demonstrates high permeability, whereas the TFC membrane displays slightly lower permeability (28 ± 0.8 L/m2 h bar) due to the presence of the polyamide selective layer. Importantly, the TFC membrane significantly enhances organic dye rejection compared to the ceramic tubular substrate, with rejection rates of 95% for CR, 92% for BTB, and 86% for MB. Rejection performance is mainly influenced by size exclusion and dye molecular charge. These novel TFC ceramic nanofiltration membranes offer improved water permeability while maintaining selectivity, holding promise for effectively removing organic pollutants in water treatment applications.