Interfacially Polymerized Nanofiltration Membranes: Fabrication, Characterization, and Dye/Salt Separation

Abstract

This laboratory experiment aims to provide undergraduate students with research experience in water treatment by membrane separation. This experiment includes fabrication and characterization, as well as water treatment applications of the interfacially polymerized polyester nanofiltration membranes. Through participating in this experimental course, students could obtain not only knowledge of membrane synthesis and separation performance testing but also basic methodologies that are widely used in scientific research. A series of advanced characterization techniques, such as Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–vis), water contact angle (WCA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), has been used to allow students to investigate the membrane structure and morphology in detail. The experiment highlights the considerable potential of the synthesized membrane material for practical applications, which is particularly demonstrated through its effectiveness in wastewater treatment. This not only emphasizes the potential practice of the research findings but also deepens students’ comprehension of the broader impact of membrane separation in chemical engineering and environmental applications. Furthermore, this provides instructors with an opportunity to situate the experiment within a wider scientific framework, inspiring students to investigate emerging advancements and innovations in the field.