Engineering mineralized interlayers for enhanced nanofiltration: Synergistic modulation of polyamide layer structure and catalytic self-cleaning performance

• Published in: Journal of membrane science 2025-01, Vol.713, p.123319, Article 123319
• Main Authors: Chen, Yunhuan, Liu, Xinyue, Zhang, Rui, Wang, Weier, Wang, Hailong, Ren, Yongsheng, Duan, Xiaoxiao
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Catalytic self-cleaning; Interfacial polymerization; Nanofiltration; Polyamide
• ISSN: 0376-7388
• DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2024.123319

High permselectivity and antifouling/self-cleaning nanofiltration (NF) membranes are ideal materials for water treatment, and this vision is expected to be reached through the design of multifunctional self-cleaning interfaces. In this study, we employed metal - polyphenol network (MPN) to mediate in situ mineralization of porous substrates, enabling simultaneous modulation of interfacial polymerization (IP) and catalytic self-cleaning. The findings demonstrate that the mineralized layers employ an interlayer modulation strategy to produce a polyamide (PA) layer that is more hydrophilic, thinner, and structurally denser. As a result, the resulting PA-Fe3O4-PSF membrane exhibited a 2.5-fold increase in permeance (19.2 L m−2 h−1 bar−1) and a 7.3-fold enhancement in Cl−/SO42− selectivity (66.4), compared to the control membrane (PA-PSF). Additionally, its highly polarized membrane surface significantly improved its antifouling performance. Compared to membranes with mineralized layers on the surface (Fe3O4-PA-PSF), PA-Fe3O4-PSF constructs a confined space that facilitates more efficient regeneration through in situ catalytic self-cleaning and ensures greater stability during multiple fouling-regeneration cycle operations. This study paves the way for fabricating multifunctional NF membranes with sustainable applications in material concentration, wastewater treatment, and environmental remediation. [Display omitted] •Mineralized layer formation mediated through a metal-polyphenol network.•Mineralized interlayer modulates polyamide and enables catalytic self-cleaning.•Interlayer modulation enhances permselectivity and antifouling capability.•Interlayer confined space promotes catalytic cleaning efficiency.