The use of polyethylene terephthalate nanofibers to improve the structure of polymer composite membranes

Real applications of osmosis membranes, especially those involving natural and waste waters, will require membranes to withstand significant stresses. Therefore, structural changes to the support layer, which are necessary in minimizing internal concentration polarization, must not compromise its critical abilities to resist mechanical stress and provide a suitable surface for the interfacial polymerization of a robust and selective active layer. In this work, we investigate the use of polyethylene terephthalate nanofibers in support layer of composite membranes and its effect on permeable, salt rejection, and resistance to mechanical pressure in operating condition of this membranes. Results shows that the water permeability and salt rejection of this membrane is slightly less than membrane with non-woven fibers but the resistance to delamination and strength at operating conditions is several times higher than other membrane.