This research focuses on a versatile new platform of membrane surface treatments to reduce fouling in ultrafiltration, microfiltration, nanofiltration, and reverse osmosis membranes. The new methodology may be applied to existing membranes after manufacture and installation as well as to membranes during their manufacturing process....

In forward osmosis applications the cellulose acetate (CA) membrane offers the best performance but carries the limitation of not tolerating a basic feed water. This characteristic eliminates the CA membrane from use with the ammonia-carbon dioxide (NH3-CO2) draw solution. Treatment of conventional reverse osmosis membrane with polydopamine improve...