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

Abstract

A polyamide-based nanocomposite reverse osmosis membrane was fabricated by introducing tannic acid coated carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into the 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 was embedded into the CNT pore channels, the permeate flux (73.1 L/m²h) and antibacterial property were further improved.