Nanocomposite Membrane with Different Carbon Nanotubes Location for Nanofiltration and Forward Osmosis Applications

Abstract

We investigated the effect of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) location on the property and performance of prepared membranes. Four different types of membranes were prepared, including (1) thin film composite (TFC, polyamide active layer on polysulfone substrate), (2) nanocomposite-supported thin film composite (nTFC, polyamide active layer on CNT-embedded polysulfone substrate), (3) thin film nanocomposite (TFN, CNT-incorporated polyamide active layer on polysulfone substrate), and (4) nanocomposite-supported thin film nanocomposite (nTFN, CNT-incorporated polyamide active layer on CNT-embedded polysulfone substrate). The water permeability followed the sequence of nTFN > TFN > nTFC > TFC. However, the rejection and salt permeability exhibited the opposite trend. The incompatibility between CNTs and polymers provided nanocorridors, through which both water and solutes could pass. The nTFN membrane exhibited the highest porosity and lowest structural parameter. Moreover, the nTFN membrane possessed the best antif...