A composite nanofiltration (NF) membrane was prepared using polyaniline nanoparticles (PANI) as additive by interfacial polymerization between piperazine and trimesoyl chloride (TMC) on the PSF ultrafiltration membrane. The properties and structure of the membrane were characterized with permeation experiment
scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscope (AFM). SEM images showed that PANI was well dispersed in the thin film layer at a low content of PANI. AFM photographs showed the surface of the membrane was rougher than before. NF performance results verified that the flux of the composite membrane was from 45 to 70 L·m-2·h-1
whereas separation performance was improved. Under optimized conditions
the prepared modified composite NF membrane showed that its retentions of Na2SO4
MgSO4
MgCl2 and NaCl were 99.4%
98.5%
85.4% and 59.2%
respectively.Water permeation and separation performance of this NF membrane were improved after addition of PANI into composite membrane.