Tannic Acid Coated Carbon Nanotube Incorporated Polyamide Reverse Osmosis Membrane with High Separation Performance, Fouling Resistance, and Antibacterial Property

A polyamide-based nanocomposite reverse osmosis membrane was fabricated by introducing tannic acid coated carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into an oil-phase solution of trimesoyl chloride using an interfacial polymerization approach. The obtained membrane exhibits high permeate flux (67.6 L/m2h), salt rejection (99.4%), fouling resistance, antibacterial and anti-adhesion properties. After silver nanoparticles were embedded into the CNT pore channels, the permeate flux (73.1 L/m2h) and antibacterial property were further improved. A polyamide-based nanocomposite reverse osmosis membrane was fabricated by introducing tannic acid coated carbon nanotubes into the oil-phase solution of trimesoyl chloride using an interfacial polymerization approach. The obtained membrane exhibits high permeate flux, salt rejection, fouling resistance, and antibacterial property. After silver nanoparticles was embedded into the CNT pore channels, the permeate flux and antibacterial property were further improved.