Artificial water channels engineered thin-film nanocomposite membranes for high-efficient application in water treatment

Inspired by biological aquaporins, artificial water channels (AWCs) can achieve high-performance for thin-film composite (TFC) reverse osmosis (RO) membranes. In our work, two types of liposomes (C18lyso and D5A liposomes) with superior permeability serving as AWCs were designed by regulating the molecular structures of lipids, in which D5A liposomes have a better ability to water transport water molecules. Herein, liposome-based RO membranes (TFN-C18lyso and TFN-D5A) were fabricated via in situ interfacial polymerizations (IP). The resulting TFN-C18lyso shows an increase in water permeability of ∼ 51.4 % (up to 3.83 L m−2 h−1 bar−1) while TFN-D5A displays an increase in water permeability of ∼ 67.2 % (up to 4.23 L m−2 h−1 bar−1), and both membranes keep high rejection of ∼ 98.6 %. Moreover, both TFN-C18lyso and TFN-D5A present good separation stability, chemical resistance, and good desalination. Our work provides a valid and versatile foundation for developing advanced biomimetic membranes in water treatment.