LAUSR

Abstract Performance of thin film nanocomposite (TFN) membranes can be enhanced by intercalation of nanofillers with special wettability and surface charge in the thin film layer. Properties of the nanofillers have great influence on the interfacial polymerization of polyamide. In this study, nano-porous zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) crystals were dispersed in amine monomer (piperazine) solution and intercalated in the polymeric thin film layer. Structure and surface property of the polyamide layer were changed by adding this hydrophobic and negative charged ZIF-8, which was identified by attenuated total reflectance infrared, scanning electron microscope, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy and water contact angle measurement. The TFN membranes containing ZIF-8 showed a water flux high to 55 L/m2 h with Na2SO4 rejection higher than 95% at 0.6 MPa. Moreover, this high performance remained stable for long-term testing during 36 h and even temperature reaching to 70 °C.