ABSTRACT
Thin-film nanocomposite (TFN) membranes with a polyamide (PA) active layer modified with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) hold promise for water desalination and wastewater reuse via forward osmosis (FO). We hypothesise that modifying the PA active layer with hydroxyl-functionalised multi-wall carbon nanotubes (f-MWCNTs) will enhance the water flux of the FO membrane while maximising salt rejection. TFN membranes were modified using in situ interfacial polymerisation, with varying f-MWCNT mass content to minimise agglomeration. These modified FO membranes are designated as CTFN-x, where x represents the mass content of f-MWCNTs, ranging from 0.001%, CTFN-1 to 0.008%, CTFN-8 (w/v). The surface properties of CTFN-x were characterised using electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and molecular spectroscopy. IR spectroscopic data confirm the successful adherence of f-MWCNTs as a bridging agent between the 1,3-phenylenediamine (MPD) and trimesoyl chloride (TMC) polymers, preserving FO membrane integrity. The CTFN-4 FO membrane shows the highest water flux (29 LMH) and the lowest reverse salt flux (2.90â gHM), attributed to preferential water flow channels in the f-MWCNTs. The integration of f-MWCNTs into the active layer improved water flux, reduced reverse salt flux, and enhanced the antifouling properties of FO membranes.
ABSTRACT
The synthesis and full characterization (mp, NMR, UV/vis, FTIR, and elemental analysis) of 13 bismuth aryloxides are reported. We have prepared bismuth aryloxides with alkyl, aryl, and allylic substituents on the aryl rings. Eleven of these bismuth aryloxides have been characterized with single crystal X-ray diffraction methods. Bismuth-donor interactions (donor = aryl, methoxy) are observed in several cases. Three unexpected bismuth oxo aryloxides (6c, 9c, 11c) were also isolated. Complex C(77)H(102)Bi(4)Br(6)O(8) (6c) results from apparent C-H activation and Bi-C bond formation as a sideproduct in the synthesis of Bi(O-2,6-(i)Pr(2)-4-BrC(6)H(2))(3) (6). Cluster 9c has a Bi(32)O(56) core, and cluster C(90)H(90)Bi(4)Li(2)O(12) (11c) is the second lithium bismuth oxo cluster reported to date.