Thin-film nanocomposite membranes containing aspartic acid-modified MIL-53-NH2 (Al) for boosting desalination and anti-fouling performance

In the current study, the prospect improvements on desalination and anti-fouling performance of polyamide (PA)-based TFN membranes modified with MIL-53-NH-Asp have been investigated. MIL-53-NH2 nanoparticles (NPs) have been treated through a single-step post-synthesis modification reaction to enhance the hydrophilicity feature and compatibility with the PA layer. Various concentrations of synthesized NPs were dispersed in an aqueous phase consisting m-phenylenediamine and 2,6-diaminopyridine monomers for incorporation in the PA rejection layer. Analysis data of fabricated membranes provide evidence of changes in their physico-chemical properties after NPs incorporation. In comparison with blank TFC membrane, the TFN-MAs3 membrane (with the optimal NPs loading value) improved the selectivity to a value of 0.19 g/l in AL-FS mode with 1 M draw solution concentration; owing to ca. 40% increase in water flux and minor decrease in reverse salt flux. Moreover, the optimal membrane with a lower flux drop and higher flux recovery value shows good resistance to fouling phenomenon compared to the pristine TFC membrane. The ultimate achievement of current study reveals the significant potential of MIL-53-NH2 in the PA layer in terms of improved forward osmosis performance of TFN membranes, particularly when they are designed for this application (modification by zwitterionic organic molecules). [Display omitted] •L-Aspartic acid was attached to the MIL-53-NH2 (Al) NPs through a single-step post-synthesis modification reaction without any linking agent.•Amino acid-decorated MIL-53-NH2 NPs were incorporated into the selective PA layer of FO membranes.•Zwitterionic pairs (COO-/NH3+) on MIL-53-NH-Asp enhanced the hydrophilicity of the NPs-PA/PES membranes.•NPs-PA/PES membranes exhibited boosted desalination and antifouling performance.