Separation properties of γ-alumina nanofiltration membranes compared to charge regulation model predictions

Supports with small pore sizes enhance the membrane's mechanical strength but they can exhibit retention and reduce the flux, leading to a decrease of the overall membrane retention. Two supports with pore sizes of 0.20 and 0.12 μm are compared. The support with the larger pores increased the trans-membrane flux by ≈40% and the overall membrane retention by ≈30%, compared to the support with the smaller pores.