Preparation of enhanced nanofiltration membranes containing Cellulose acetate butyrate/Mxene nanoparticles for separation of salt and dye from water

In this study, for the first time, nanofiltration membranes containing cellulose acetate butyrate polymer and MXene nanoparticles were prepared and used to remove dye and salt from water. MXene nanoparticles were synthesized from Ti3AlC2 precursor and the existence of a layered structure as well as the formation of OH-functional group in them was proved. Then, Cellulose acetate butyrate nanofiltration membranes were prepared from MXene nanoparticles at concentrations of 0 to 4 wt.% and various characterizations were performed on the mentioned prepared membranes. The results showed that increase in concentration of MXene nanoparticles results in formation of membranes with higher porosity, hydrophilicity, pure water flux and flux recovery ratio. Also, with the addition of MXene to the polymer and increase in its concentration up to 3 wt.%, mechanical properties, including tensile strength, elastic modulus and elongation at breakpoint increased, while further increase in nanoparticle concentration decreased these properties. In all membranes up to 3 wt.% of nanoparticles, the rejection of methylene blue and methyl orange dyes as well as rejection of divalent salt were above 90%.