Improved performance of nanocomposite forward osmosis membrane with polydopamine nanoparticles/polyphenylsulfone (PDA Nps/PPSU) substrate and UV irradiation treated polycarbonate active layer

In this work, the novel highly-efficient thin film nanocomposite (TFN) FO membranes were fabricated. The support layer of FO membranes was prepared by blending hydrophilic polydopamine nanoparticles (PDA NPs) into polyphenylsulfone (PPSU) matrix using phase inversion method. The polycarbonate (PC) active layer of TFN membranes was prepared through interfacial polymerization on the surface of PPSU substrate and ultraviolet (UV) light surface treatment was considered for surface modification of PC active layer. The prepared TFN FO membranes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and hydrophilicity analysis. The modified TFN FO membranes by the incorporation of 1 wt.% PDA NPs into the substrate and UV surface treatment for 6 h exhibited the most promising results by showing high FO flux (59.6 L m–2 h–1) and low reverse solute flux (3.1 g m–2 h–1). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report the effect of polydopamine nanoparticles and UV surface treatment on FO performance, and the results demonstrate the potential use of these modifications in TFN FO membrane fabrication.