Tuning composite nanofiltration membranes with γ-cyclodextrin for improved Mg2+/Li+ selectivity

•γ-CD enhanced the overall water affinity and water permeability of the NF membrane.•The membrane, rich in γ-CD, precisely filtered Mg2+ and Li+ ions.•The optimized NF membrane achieved a 237 % higher Mg-Li separation coefficient than the TFC-control.•γ-CD cavities formed complexes with Mg2+ or Li+ ions, elucidated by 1H NMR results. As a new frontier method, nanofiltration (NF) membranes still face challenges in achieving a balance between selectivity and permeability, especially in the field of extracting lithium from brines. In the study, we addressed this issue by incorporating γ-cyclodextrins (CDs) with amphipathic cavities onto the polyamide chains using interfacial polymerization (IP) reaction, employing polyethyleneimine (PEI) and trimesoyl chloride (TMC). The addition of γ-cyclodextrin (γ-CD) enhances the hydrophilicity and water flux of NF membrane on account of its remarkable structural properties. The outer surface of γ-CD exhibits hydrophilic characteristics, while its inner cavity possesses hydrophobic properties. Benefiting from its water-attracting surface and water-repellent cavity, γ-CD could enhance the overall water affinity and water permeability of the NF membrane. Furthermore, the dimensions of the γ-CD cavity allowed for effective screening Mg2+ / Li+ to a certain extent. Notably, γ-CD exhibited a superior capability to accommodate and encapsulate Mg2+ ions, indicating a higher binding affinity compared to Li+. Thus, Li+ was easier to pass through the NF membrane grafted by γ-CDs than Mg2+. The optimized NF membrane demonstrated an enhanced magnesium-lithium separation coefficient of 23.61, 237 % better than that of the TFC-control membrane. This work introduces a novel approach for designing and constructing of high-permselectivity NF membranes for Mg2+ / Li+ separation utilization.