LAUSR

Abstract Herein, high flux nanofiltration (NF) membranes were fabricated by combined procedures of electrospinning, layer-by-layer (LBL) assembly, and phase inversion. The membranes displayed three-dual structure constituted polyether sulfone (PES) coating layer, LBL assembly modified electrospun polyester (PET) nanofibrous mats, and non-woven supports. High flux NF membranes thus prepared are characterized by ultrathin phase inversion layer (∼10 μm) while that of conventional membranes are 100–150 μm, implying that very high flux could be expected. Various factors including electrospinning conditions, chitosan (CHI)/alginate (ALG) concentration, PES concentration, exposed time, coagulating temperature, thermal treatment, and sulfonated poly ether ketone (SPEEK) content were systematically investigated. Structures of the membranes were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), mechanical properties test, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and static contact angle measurements. The separation experiments indicated that thus prepared membranes exhibited high flux of as high as ∼75 L m−2 h−1 with Mg SO4 rejection of ∼80%.