Thin film nanocomposite (TFN) membranes were invented in 2007 to enhance the permeability of thin film composite (TFC) membranes. Surface modification of nanofillers was a common method to improve the interaction and compatibility at polymer/nanofiller interfaces. Accordingly, as an amino-functionalized zirconium-based metal− organic framework (MOF), UiO-66-NH 2 was synthesized and introduced into the preparation of TFN membranes via interfacial polymerization in this study. The superhydrophilic characteristic of UiO-66-NH 2 made it possible to be well dispersed in aqueous solution and the amino groups on particle surfaces could react with 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid chloride (TMC) to form covalent interaction with polymer thus inhibiting the formation of nonselective defects at PA/nanofiller interfaces. The morphology images and FT-IR spectra revealed the PA selective layer successfully formed on the top of hydrolyzed polyacrylonitrile (HPAN) supports. The EDX characterization demonstrated UiO-66-NH 2 nanoparticles were successfully introduced into the TFN membranes. The UiO-66-NH 2 nanoparticles increased the surface hydrophilicity and roughness of the membranes, and provided additional passageways for mass transfer. Pure water permeability increased from 6.89 LMH/bar for TFC membrane to 14.55 LMH/bar for TFN-0.10 membrane indicating the distinct permeability elevation after the incorporation of UiO-66-NH 2 nanoparticles. And the Na 2 SO 4 rejection of TFN-0.10 membrane was up to about 99.0% and NaCl rejection was 38.1% at 4 bar, which was higher than that of TFN membrane incorporated with pristine UiO-66.

The nanosized UiO-66-NH2 metal–organic framework (MOF) material was synthesized and modified by palmitoyl chloride to enhance the dispersibility and restrain the aggregation of MOF particles in the organic phase.

Inorganic nanofiltration membranes with high flux are urgently needed in water purification processes. Herein, polydopamine (PDA)-modified layer-stacked molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2 ) nanofiltration membranes (NFMs) were fabricated via a pressure-assisted self-assembly process. The separation performance of the as-prepared membranes with various MoS 2 loadings at different dopamine polymerization times was evaluated. The pure water permeance of PDA-modified MoS 2 NFMs, with MoS 2 loading of 0.1103 mg/cm 2 at 4 h modification, could reach 135.3 LMH/bar. The rejection toward methylene blue could reach 100% with molecular weight cutoff approximately 671 Da and a high permeability of salts. Furthermore, the resultant membrane also exhibited a satisfactory long-term stability toward dye solution and antifouling property toward bovine serum albumin. This work may give inspiration to the development of inorganic membranes with high performance, especially high pure water permeance, for water-related processes.

Due to its environmental friendliness and biodegradable ability, the enzymatic decolorization of azo dyes is the best option. However, the free enzyme suffers from various limitations, including poor stability, no repeatable use, and a high expense, which is the key drawback for its practical use. In this analysis, the laccase enzyme was immobilized in mesoporous silica coated magnetic multiwalled carbon nanotubes (Fe 3 O 4 -MWCNTs@SiO 2 ) by a glutaraldehyde cross-linker to create an easily separable and stable enzyme. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive Xray spectroscopy (EDX) were used to characterize the as-synthesized Fe 3 O 4 -MWCNTs@SiO 2 . Laccase immobilized in Fe 3 O 4 -MWCNTs@SiO 2 showed a good improvement in temperature, pH, and storage stability. Moreover, the operational stability of the biocatalyst was improved, retaining 87% of its original activity even after 10 cycles of 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) oxidation. The biocatalysts were applied for the decolorization of selected azo dyes without a mediator, and up to 99% of Eriochrome Black T (EBT), 98% of Acid Red 88 (AR 88), and 66% of Reactive Black 5 (RB5) were decolorized. Based on these properties, the biocatalysts can be potentially utilized in various environmental and industrial applications.

Although loose nanofiltration membranes have been extensively studied for dye desalination, high-throughput membranes with antifouling and antibacterial properties are still highly needed. In this study, a zwitterion-modified molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2 ) duallayer loose nanofiltration membrane was prepared with the integration of antibacterial, antifouling, and high-flux properties. To be specific, MoS 2 nanosheets were loaded on a polyacrylonitrile ultrafiltration membrane through pressure-assisted self-assembly. Then, poly (sulfobetaine methacrylate) (PSBMA) was coated on the surface of the MoS 2 membrane via a simple polydopamine (PDA)-assisted one-step codeposition to prepare PSBMA/PDA/MoS 2 nanofiltration membranes. Elemental and morphological analyses confirmed the formation of the MoS 2 layer and PSBMA/PDA coating. In addition, the effect of the PSBMA amount and codeposition time on surface properties and membrane performances was investigated. Under optimum conditions, the as-prepared membrane showed excellent water permeance of 262 LMH/bar with good dye rejection (99.8% for methylene blue) and salt permeability, as well as excellent antifouling and antibacterial properties benefiting from the synergy of PSBMA/PDA coating layers and MoS 2 layers.