Influence of polyvinyl alcohol on the surface morphology, separation and anti-fouling performance of the composite polyamide nanofiltration membranes

▶ Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was incorporated into composite nanofiltration membranes in situ by adding PVA into piperazine (PIP) during its interfacial polymerization with trimesoyl chloride (TMC). ▶ The hydrophilicity and flux of the composite NF membranes increase with increasing the mass fraction of PVA to PIP. ▶ The anti-fouling performance of composite polyamide NF membranes is improved due to introduction of PVA into membranes.