Thin-film nanocomposite forward osmosis membranes modified with Zr-based metal–organic framework to improve desalination performance

In present work, first, the water-stable metal–organic framework (MOF) nanocrystals, UiO-66-(F)₄, were synthesized under green reaction condition and then some PES/PA thin-film nanocomposite (TFN) membranes were prepared using this synthesized nanocrystals (as modifier) and polyethersulfone (as the substrate). The obtained MOF and membranes were characterized by various characterization techniques such as FE-SEM, AFM, PXRD, contact angle measurements and FT-IR spectroscopy. Finally, the forward osmosis performance of the resultant membranes was evaluated by using different concentrations of NaCl as a draw solution and deionized water as a feed solution. Among all used membranes, the membrane with 0.1 wt% loading of UiO-66-(F)₄ (TFN-2) was found to be an efficient composite membrane in the FO performance with high J_w and low J_s/J_w.