Surface modification of TFC-PA membrane using α-MnO2/UiO-66-NO2 for enhancing filtration performance

In this study, α-MnO2/UiO-66-NO2/TFC-PA composite membranes were successfully synthesized by immobilizing α-MnO2/UiO-66-NO2 onto the outermost surface of polyamide selective layer of TFC-PA membrane during the interfacial polymerization process. The membranes were characterized using techniques such as XRD, ATR-IR, EDX, SEM and contact angle measurements. The filtration performance was evaluated using a 1000 ppm NaCl solution. Various factors affecting separation efficiency were also investigated, including polymerization time, temperature, oxide loading, and composite material content. The experimental results exhibited the successful synthesis of both α-MnO2/UiO-66-NO2 and the α-MnO2/UiO-66-NO2/PA membrane. The modified membrane possessed a water flux three times higher than the pristine membrane and over 8% increase in salt rejection. In addition, the modified membrane maintained a high selectivity after long time of filtration.