Critical Evaluation of Thin Film Composite Membrane on Pesticide Removal

Abstract

This study focuses on how operating pressure, pesticide characteristics, membrane materials, feed solution and draw solution affect the performance of thin film composite membranes on pesticides removal. The membrane separation discussed in this review involve nanofiltration (NF), reverse osmosis (RO) and forward osmosis processes (FO) (i.e., FO mode and pressure retarded osmosis (PRO) mode). High pressure shows positive effects on NF and RO membranes flux performances, but it could deform PRO membranes. Hydrophobic pesticides that are larger in size, negatively charged with small dipole moments will result in higher retention. Besides, ions in the feed solution increased the rejection efficiency and permeate flux of membrane whereas pesticides concentration has a negative effect on their retention. pH of feed solution determines the zeta potential of membrane. As for the draw solution, NaCl at higher concentration is recommended. This paper is crucial to give an overview on ways to improve the removal of pesticides with various thin film composite membranes.