A novel reverse osmosis carbon nanotube composite membrane: Preparation and characterization

摘要

Flat sheet reverse osmosis single-wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT)/polyaramide composite membranes were prepared by interfacial polymerization. This method is straightforward to manufacture thin-film-composite reverse osmosis membranes, which contain surface modified SWCNT in the very thin polyamide layer. The SWCNTs were functionalized with oxidation and acylation steps subsequently. In each step, the SWCNTs were characterized by different methods to confirm the chemical linkage of the organic molecule with the nanotubes. Characterizations were performed by Raman spectroscopy (Fig.l), infra red spectroscopy, X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy and thermal gravimetry analysis. Topology and morphology of RO SWCNTs composite membranes were examined by atomic force microscopy (Fig.2) and scanning electron microscopy. Performances of RO SWCNTs composite membranes for reverse osmosis application are reported (Table 1). From characterization results and RO performance, we can conclude that incorporation of modified SWCNTs as a channel in RO SWCNTs composite membranes has improved the filtration properties of RO SWCNTs composite membranes. The present work provides a new route to prepare high performance RO SWCNTs composite membranes and opens an avenue to incorporate CNTs in the selective layer of composite membranes.