TiO2/CDs modified thin-film nanocomposite polyamide membrane for simultaneous enhancement of antifouling and chlorine-resistance performance

Vatanpour Sargheın V., Paziresh S., Mehrabani S. A. N., Feizpoor S., Habibi-Yangjeh A., Koyuncu İ.

DESALINATION, vol.525, 2022 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 525
  • Publication Date: 2022
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.desal.2021.115506
  • Journal Name: DESALINATION
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, PASCAL, Aerospace Database, Aqualine, Aquatic Science & Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA), CAB Abstracts, Chemical Abstracts Core, Communication Abstracts, Environment Index, Food Science & Technology Abstracts, INSPEC, Metadex, Pollution Abstracts, Public Affairs Index, Veterinary Science Database, Civil Engineering Abstracts
  • Keywords: TiO2/CDs nanocomposite, Chlorine resistance, TFC-RO membrane, Nanofiller, PSf support, REVERSE-OSMOSIS MEMBRANE, GRAPHENE OXIDE NANOSHEETS, CARBON QUANTUM DOTS, NANOFILTRATION MEMBRANE, VISIBLE-LIGHT, HIGH-FLUX, DESALINATION PERFORMANCE, ZEOLITE NANOPARTICLES, SEPARATION, LAYER
  • Istanbul Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

In this study, a titanium dioxide/carbon dots (TiO2/CDs) hydrophilic nanocomposite photocatalyst with different contents was embedded in the polyamide layer of reverse osmosis (RO) membrane via interfacial polymerization to increase desalination performance and antifouling properties. The modified membranes showed smoother surfaces with reduced contact angles, causing to improve membrane fouling resistance. TiO2/CDs nano composite, due to its photocatalytic activity, showed more flux recovery ratio (FRR) after irradiation of UV light during the washing process. The FRR was enhanced from 94.4 to 97.1% for 0.01 wt% TiO2/CDs RO membrane by UV irradiation. The hydrophilic functional groups with negative charge increased the desalination efficiency of the modified membranes (99.2% NaCl rejection for 0.01 wt% TiO2/CDs membrane). The membrane containing 0.01 wt% TiO2/CDs presented the highest pure water and NaCl solution flux of (59.6 and 54.6 L.m(-2).h(-1)) at 15 bar, respectively. In addition, the used nanoparticles improved the chlorine resistance of the membranes. As a result, TiO2/CDs nanocomposite with little amounts could be applied as a suitable nanofiller to increase the permeability, antifouling properties, and chlorine resistance for RO membrane modification.