Surface modification of nanofiltration membranes to improve the removal of organic micro-pollutants (EDCs and PhACs) in drinking water treatment: Graft polymerization and cross-linking followed by functional group substitution

The methods of identification, analysis, and removal of endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) in water

“…Membrane separation, employing dense reverse osmosis (RO) and nanofiltration (NF) membranes, is reported to be efficient in removing micro-contaminants, such as EDCs and PPCPs [2,[117][118][119][120], but the rejection was incomplete with some fluctuations in the range of 10-95%. Membrane properties, such as hydrophobicity and surface charges, played a significant role in the retention of such compounds, because they exist at extremely low levels, with different functional groups [120][121][122]. The water matrix also affected the performance of membranes such as NOM [123][124][125].…”

“…A modified NF membrane, in which the surface charge was virtually neutral at pH 6.5, gave a greater rejection rate for BPA (>95%) in comparison to the original membrane. However, the rejection efficiency for ibuprofen and salicylic acids had decreased due to the loss of membrane charges [122].…”

Coating layer effect on performance of thin film nanofiltration membrane in removal of organic solutes

“…Many studies focused on surface modification of membranes [14][15][16][17][18][19] while the general benefits of modifications are permanently reduced membrane fouling [20] and increased rejection of proteins or organic solutes and salts. But, according to authors' knowledge very few were focused on a mechanism which could explain why membranes became better rejecting to some organic solutes while rejections of some solutes remain the same or even decrease.…”

Pharmaceuticals, Personal Care Products and Endocrine Disrupting Agents in the Environment – A Review

“…The PhACs/EDCs rejection efficiency of the commercially available NF could be improved through chemical modification [119].…”