Polysulfone-Based Nanocomposite Membranes with Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes for Efficient Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) Removal from Water

Abstract

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is a persistent environmental pollutant of increasing concern due to its chemical stability and associated health risks. This study reports on the development and evaluation of polysulfone (PSF)-based nanocomposite membranes containing multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) for effective PFOA removal from water. The bare PSF membrane and the modified membrane with 5 wt% MWCNT loading were fabricated by the non-solvent induced phase separation and tested under continuous flow conditions at different PFOA concentrations. The modified membrane achieved approximately 98% PFOA removal at a concentration of 100 parts per billion (ppb), demonstrating sustained and robust performance. Although the inclusion of MWCNTs reduced water permeance, this was offset by the significant enhancement in contaminant retention. Structural and morphological analyses confirmed the uniform dispersion and integration of MWCNTs within the membrane matrix. These results highlight the potential of PSF-MWCNT nanocomposite membrane for advanced water treatment applications targeting per-fluorinated compounds.