A CNT/PVA film supported TFC membranes for improvement of mechanical properties and chemical cleaning stability: A new insight to an alternative to the polymeric support

Thin film composite (TFC) nanofiltration (NF) membranes supported by polymeric have suffered from limited mechanical properties and chemical cleaning stability, resulting in an increasing operation cost. Strengthening the support of TFC is expected to provide great stability for membranes. This work provided a membrane constructed on poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) incorporated carbon nanotube film, which was named CNT/PVA-TFC. Characteristics substrates, including morphology, pore size, properties, were investigated scanning electron microscopy (SEM), intrusion mercury porosimetry tensile method. The results demonstrated that PVA can improve hydrophilicity CNT film. physicochemical separation performance CNT/PVA-TFC also investigated. showed enhancement with its elastic modulus hardness approximately 330% 200% control, respectively. Furthermore, achieved greater resistance caustic than In addition, exhibited excellent flux decline 29.3% recovery 97.0%. mechanism systematically studied. highlighted feasibility fabricating CNT/PVA providing new insight alternate substrate