Evaluation of Halloysite Nanotube–Loaded Chitosan-Based Nanocomposite Membranes for Water Desalination by Pervaporation

In this study, halloysite nanotube (HNT)–loaded chitosan-based nanocomposite membranes were synthesized and used for pervaporative desalination of water. Structural and morphological properties of the nanocomposite membranes were investigated. The effects of the HNT content, feed temperature, and feed NaCl concentration on the flux and salt rejection were investigated. As the HNT content was increased, the degree of swelling decreased. At all temperature values, higher than 99% of salt rejections were achieved. The flux value increased from 1.63 to 4.89 kg/m 2 h, when the HNT content increased from 0 to 20 wt% at 30 °C. While the highest salt rejection value was obtained as 99.90% using the 10 wt% HNT-loaded nanocomposite membrane, the highest flux value was obtained as 5.81 kg/m 2 h using the 20 wt% HNT-loaded membrane at 50 °C. The pervaporation desalination results showed that HNT simultaneously increased the swelling resistance and the separation capability of the chitosan membrane.