Tailoring the composite selective layer of reverse osmosis membrane by constructing UiO-66-(COOH)₂ integrated with phenolic networks to enhance desalination performance

As climate change exacerbates the global water crisis, desalination is becoming vital for acquiring clean water from plentiful brackish and seawater sources. Notably, interlayer thin-film nanocomposite membranes used in reverse osmosis and nanofiltration stand out as key innovations. These advanced membranes are drawing interest due to their remarkable performance, attributed mainly to their capability to create thinner selective layers in thin-film composite structures. This study introduces a novel methodology combining UiO-66-(COOH) 2 with tannic acid complexes as an interlayer to enhance filtration performance for reverse osmosis application. Various characterization methods were employed to validate this innovative approach. The techniques confirmed both the unique morphology of the membrane and the impact of tannic acid UiO-66-(COOH) 2 complexes on the polyamide membrane. Additionally, filtration tests showed notable enhancements in membrane performance, with salt permeance dropping from 0.47 LMH for the control membranes to an impressive 0.28 LMH for the membrane with tannic acid UiO-66-(COOH) 2 complexes. Permeance also increased substantially from 1.08 to 1.65 LMH/bar. A five-day stability test conducted under high-pressure conditions highlighted the durability and excellent properties of the membranes. This research showcases a promising and inventive strategy for improving the efficacy of desalination membranes, which has the potential to transform water purification technologies.