Fabrication of a novel thin-film nanocomposite (TFN) membrane containing MCM-41 silica nanoparticles (NPs) for water purification

► Synthesis of nanoscale ordered mesoporous silica (MCM-41). ► Fabrication of thin-film nano composite (TFN) membrane by MCM-41 NPs. ► Effect of concentration of nano-fillers and TFN surface characteristics. ► Comparison between the TFN membranes with non-porous NPs and with porous NPs. ► The role of internal pores of fillers was explored.