Thin film composite (TFC) membrane, which consists of polyamide (PA) active film rests on porous support layer, has been the major type of reverse osmosis (RO) membrane since its development by Cadotte in the 1970s, and has been remarkably used to produce clean water for human consumption and domestic utilization. In the past 30 years, different approaches have been exploited to produce the TFC membrane with high water flux, excellent salt rejection, and better chlorine/fouling resistance. In this brief review, we classify the techniques that have been utilized to improve the RO-TFC membrane properties into four categories: (1) Using alternative monomers to prepare the active layer; (2) modification of membrane surface; (3) optimization of polymerization reactions; and (4) incorporation of nanoparticles (NPs) into the membrane PA layer. This review can provide insights to guide future research and further propel the RO TFN membrane.

In this study, TiO2 nanoparticles were inserted into the polyamide layer of traditional thin film composite membrane. The nanoparticles were dispersed in a trimesoyl chloride-hexane solution before interfacial polymerization with m-phenylenediamine-aqueous solution. Membrane characterization was performed via contact angle measurements, atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and water flux, salt rejection, and fouling resistance evaluation. The results indicate that TiO2 could effectively improve membrane performance. Water flux increased from 40 to 65 L/m² h by increasing NPs concentration from 0 to 0.1 wt. %, while NaCl rejection was above 96%. Moreover, the modified membrane demonstrated better organic fouling resistance and robust antibacterial efficiency.

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The interfacial contact between TiO2 and graphitic carbon in a hybrid composite plays a critical role in electron transfer behavior, and in turn, its photocatalytic efficiency.