Cellulose nanocrystal addition in thin film nanocomposite membranes: Which monomer solution is preferred?

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are biodegradable nanoparticles with a high aspect ratio and abundant surface hydroxyl groups resulting in negatively charged hydrophilic surfaces that make them an ideal candidate to be incorporated thin-film nanocomposite (TFN) membranes. In this study, we modified the CNCs via acetylation (ACNCs) reduce their hydrophilicity reaction L-cysteine (CysCNCs) impart functionality promoted interaction trimesoyl chloride organic monomer used preparation of poly(amide) layer TFN These modifications allowed us question which solution should dispersed. Addition unmodified either aqueous or showed little difference membrane performance. However, addition ACNCs CysCNCs led significant increase performance reverse osmosis (RO) nanofiltration (NF) systems compared solution. addition, exhibited very near upper-bound line for RO NF.