Electrospun nanofiber supports with bio-inspired modification enabled high-performance forward osmosis composite membranes. (December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Meng, Lijun; Niu, Feihu; Deng, Peiji; Li, Ning; Lv, Yan; Huang, Manhong
• Is Part Of: Composites communications. Volume 22(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-12
• Subjects: Forward osmosis -- Thin-film composite membrane -- Electrospun nanofiber mat -- Polydopamine deposition
• DOI: 10.1016/j.coco.2020.100473
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2452-2139

Abstract

Abstract: Electrospun nanofiber mats (ENMs) are desired candidates as supports for composite forward osmosis (FO) membranes owning to the high porosity and low tortuosity of pores. However, it remains challenge to construct defect-free thin selective layer on ENMs controllably to achieve simultaneous high permeability and selectivity. In order to meet the demands, a novel thin film composite (TFC) FO membrane was fabricated via interfacial polymerization on a polydopamine (PDA) modified ENM substrate (PDA-HPENM), which was hot-pressed (HPENMs) prior to the PDA deposition to improve the mechanical strength and reduce the mat thickness. The internal concentration polarization (ICP) effects and the transmembrane resistance in FO membranes are reduced significantly attributed to the unique pore structure and good hydrophilicity of the PDA-HPENMs, resulting in doubled water flux compared with that of the TFC membranes using HPENM substrates. Moreover, the optimized TFC FO membranes exhibit relatively high rejection (~100%) to heavy metal ions and antibiotics, holding great potential for wastewater treatment. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: A novel TFC membrane is fabricated via interfacial polymerization on a polydopamine modified electrospun nanofiber. Good hydrophilicity of nanofiber supports reduce the internal concentration polarization effects in forward osmosis process. The optimized membrane exhibits excellent water flux and solute rejection with good antifouling property.