Harnessing Carbon-Based Nanomaterials for Advanced Desalination in Polymeric Membranes

Membrane-based separation technology has been extensively utilized in desalination, owing to its high efficiency and lower energy consumption. Unlike traditional polyether sulfone membranes, the novel composite membrane features distinct physicochemical structures and properties. The incorporation of carbon-based nanomaterials like activated carbon, carbon nanotubes, and graphene oxide enhances the membrane's separation performance, resistance to diverse feed waters, and operational lifespan. The present study investigated the desalination performance of nanocomposite polyether sulfone (PES) membranes embedded with activated carbon (PES-AC), multi-walled carbon nanotubes (PES-CNT), and graphene oxide (PES-GO) in aqueous solutions of NaCl and Na₂SO₄. Salt rejections were evaluated using a dead-end filtration cell assembly. The PES-AC, PES-CNT, and PES-GO membranes demonstrated salt rejection rates of 42%, 51%, and 60%, respectively, for NaCl aqueous solution at 0.8 MPa. The salt rejection performance for Na₂SO₄ was 47%, 53%, and 58% for the PES-AC, PES-CNT, and PES-GO membranes, respectively. In conclusion, embedding carbon-based nanomaterials significantly enhanced the salt rejection performance of PES membranes, positioning them as a promising solution for advanced treatment of saline water. In conclusion, the integration of carbon-based nanomaterials into polyether sulfone (PES) membranes has markedly improved their salt rejection capabilities. This advancement not only meets the increasing demand for efficient desalination technologies but can also foster the development of sustainable and cost-effective water treatment solutions. Therefore, these modified PES membranes have the potential to significantly contribute to the global effort to provide clean and safe drinking water from saline sources.