Development of Support Layers and Their Impact on the Performance of Thin Film Composite Membranes (TFC) for Water Treatment

Abstract

Thin-film composite (TFC) membranes have gained significant attention as an appealing membrane technology due to their reversible fouling and potential cost-effectiveness. Previous studies have predominantly focused on improving the selective layers to enhance membrane performance. However, the importance of improving the support layers has been increasingly recognized. Therefore, in this review, preparation methods for the support layer, including the traditional phase inversion method and the electrospinning (ES) method, as well as the construction methods for the support layer with a polyamide (PA) layer, are analyzed. Furthermore, the effect of the support layers on the performance of the TFC membrane is presented. This review aims to encourage the exploration of suitable support membranes to enhance the performance of TFC membranes and extend their future applications.

Carbon dot engineered membranes for separation – a comprehensive review and current challenges

“…Subsequent heat treatment of the resulting TFC membranes serves to complete film polymerization and enhance the adhesion between the thin PA layer and the substrate. 143,144…”

Features of the Formation of a Reinforcing Coating on Hydrogel Membranes Based on Polyvinylpyrrolidone Copolymers

“…Therefore, the search for effective methods of directional formation of the structure of copolymers and increasing the strength of hydrogel membranes, while maintaining their permeability to aqueous solutions of low molecular weight substances, is urgent and requires a solution. One of the ways to solve this problem is to create composite materials by modifying polymer hydrogels by various methods [19][20][21]. Among the methods of modification of polymer materials, physical methods have attracted attention because they allow for creating materials with specific properties without significant material costs.…”

“…This modification provides an opportunity to purposefully change the individual characteristics of already used polymers and thereby expand the scope of their application. Modification of film products can be carried out both on the surface [20,22], that is, the creation of combined multilayer films, and in volume-for example, on the basis of multicomponent polymer solutions with their subsequent evaporation [23]. The formation of multilayer membranes is carried out in order to improve the strength characteristics of the films, reduce their thickness, obtain a defect-free surface layer, and provide special properties or a complex configuration.…”

Evaluating Post-Treatment Effects on Electrospun Nanofiber as a Support for Polyamide Thin-Film Formation

“…Conventionally, the support layer is produced using the phase-inversion method, but this technique is limited in terms of the support pore size range, often resulting in lower porosities and higher hydraulic resistances [ 8 ]. To address these limitations in phase inversion support, researchers have developed various modifications, including the addition of hydrophilic additives, such as polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) [ 9 , 10 ], polyethylene glycol (PEG-400) [ 11 ] and titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO 2 ) [ 12 , 13 ], as well as plasma treatment [ 14 ], to enhance the hydrophilicity and porosity of the hydrophobic support layer. Other studies applied 1D (carbon nanotubes/CNTs) and 2D (graphene oxide/GO) fillers [ 15 , 16 ] to provide additional water channel transport.…”

“…An alternative to phase-inversion-produced support is the use of electrospun nanofibers (ENFs), which offer an interconnected pore structure, high porosity (>80%), large surface area, and ease of surface modification without the need for additional pore-forming agents [ 10 , 19 ]. However, the large and broadly distributed pore sizes of ENFs can lead to defects in the TFC membrane, including poor adhesion strength between the ENF support and the thin selective layer, potentially causing failure under high-pressure conditions.…”