Design of a new polyethersulfone nanofiltration membrane with anti‐fouling properties using supported protic ionic liquid modification for dye/salt removal

Abstract Facile techniques to fabricate the nanofiltration membranes with ideal molecular sieving is one of the most interesting subjects in membrane separation technology. In this study, the application of modified graphene oxide (GO) with triethylenetetramine (TETA), CuFe 2 O 4 , and acetic acid (AC) (supported GO‐TETA‐CuFe 2 O 4 @AC) as a supported protic ionic liquid (PIL) modifier for polyethersulfone (PES) membrane was evaluated to approve the improvement of anti‐fouling properties and wastewater rejection of the fabricated membranes. To enhance the key properties of graphene oxide, it was modified by hydrophilic nanomaterials (TETA‐CuFe 2 O 4 ). High flux and promising flux recovery ratio (up to 95% compared to the unmodified membrane) can be observed in the modified membranes. The modified membranes by GO‐TETA‐CuFe 2 O 4 @AC were studied at optimum concentrations (0.5 wt.%) for salt rejection and different dyes. The obtained data indicated that the modified membranes by GO‐TETA‐CuFe 2 O 4 @AC indicated higher salt removal (up to 97% for BaCl 2 than the unmodified membrane), which was related to the efficient modification. The obtained pure water flux (PWF) for bare and optimal modified membrane from 13.11 to 27.87 kg/m 2 ·h, respectively. To exact evaluate the effect of membrane modification on performance examination, the modified membranes were evaluated for chlorine resistance testing. This study aimed to develop cost‐effective nanofiltration (NF) membranes with high anti‐fouling properties and to determine the maximum filtration capacity of in‐time dyes and salts in effluents. Practitioner Points A GO‐TETA‐CuFe2O4 mixed matrix membrane was prepared for removal of salts and dyes. The effect of GO‐TETA‐CuFe2O4 enhanced the hydrophilicity and porosity. The membrane exhibited superior antifouling properties and ions rejection.