Membrane Surface Functionalization with Imidazole Derivatives to Benefit Dye Removal and Fouling Resistance in Forward Osmosis

Water contaminated with low concentrations of pollutants is more difficult to clean up than that high pollutant content levels. Membrane separation provides a solution for removing from water. However, membranes are prone fouling, losing performances over time. Here we synthesized neutral (IM-NH2) and positively charged (IL-NH2) imidazole derivatives chemically functionalize membranes. With distinct properties, these grafts could tailor membrane physicochemical properties structures benefit forward osmosis (FO) processes the removal 20-100 ppm Safranin O dye-a common dye employed in textile industry. The water fluxes produced by IM-NH2- IL-NH2-modified increased 67% 122%, respectively, DI as feed compared nascent membrane. A 39% flux increment complete retention (?100%) was achieved against 100 dye. Regardless concentration, exhibited steadily higher permeation performance original long-term experiments. Reproducible experimental results were obtained after cleaning water, demonstrating good antifouling renewability newly developed