SiO2-modified nanocomposite nanofiltration membranes with high flux and acid resistance

Thin-film nanocomposite (TFN) nanofiltration (NF) membranes with superior properties were prepared using hydrophilic SiO 2 (HGPN-SiO 2 ) nanoparticles as the inorganic modifying monomer by an interfacial polymerization (IP) process. The effects of HGPN-SiO 2 on the morphology and surface properties of the prepared NF membranes were characterized by attenuated total reflectance–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, surface zeta potential, and static contact angle. The addition of HGPN-SiO 2 can effectively improve the permeate flux of the NF membranes. When the HGPN-SiO 2 concentration in the aqueous phase was 0.08 wt %, the permeate flux of the TFN-NF membrane was twice that of the pure NF membrane. Furthermore, the acid resistance of the TFN-NF membrane was clearly improved with the addition of HGPN-SiO 2 . Under neutral conditions, the TFN-NF membrane showed superior flux and salt rejection stability in a long-running operation. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136 , 47436.