High-performance novel MoS۲@Zeolite X nanocomposite-modified thin-film nanocomposite forward osmosis membranes: a study of desalination and anti-fouling performance

Novel thin film nanocomposite (TFN) membranes modified by MoS۲@Zeolite X nanocomposite were made and studied for desalination by forward osmosis (FO) method. Herein, MoS۲@Zeolite X nanocomposite (MoS۲@Z) and zeolite X particles are integrated into the polyamide (PA) selective layer of the TFN membranes, separately. The aim of this study is the synthesis of the nanocomposite containing hydrophilic zeolite X particles with modified surface and pores and improve their effective properties on desalination and anti-fouling performance. For this purpose, MoS۲ nanosheets with high hydrophilicity were selected. The existence of polymer-matrix compatible MoS۲@Z inside the PA active layer caused the formation of a defect-free smooth surface with further channels within this layer that could raise water flux and fouling resistance of the TFN membranes. The TFN-MZ۲ membrane (containing ۰.۰۱ wt% MoS۲@Z) showed the top desalination performance in the FO process. In contrary to the pristine thin film composite (TFC) and TFN-Z۲ membrane (containing ۰.۰۲۵ wt% zeolite X, the most optimal membrane among the zeolite-modified membranes), its water flux has increased by ۲.۶ and ۱.۸ times, respectively. Furthermore, in the fouling test, this optimal TFN-MZ۲ membrane with a flux decrement of ۱۹.۶% revealed a ~۲.۲ and ۱.۸-fold enhancement in anti-fouling tendency compared to the TFC and TFN-Z۲, respectively. Also, based on the anti-biofouling test, the water flux drop of ۴۸.۶% for the TFC membrane has reached ۳۶.۹% for the optimal membrane. Hence, this high-performance TFN-MZ۲ membrane shows good capability for commercial employment in the FO desalination application

کلیدواژه ها:

Forward osmosis ، Desalination ، Thin-film nanocomposite membrane ، MoS۲@zeolite X ، Anti-fouling