biofouling behavior on forward osmosis using vertically aligned cnt membrane on alumina

Nowadays, forward osmosis (fo) with many advantages in water treatment is so attractive for researchers and investigators that the studies are going to optimize and increase its efficiency. however, one of the most controversial operating malfunctions of fo process is fouling that limits the fo global application. in the following research, vertically aligned carbon nanotube (vacnt) on alumina membrane is introduced with high water permeability and less biofouling potential in forward osmosis for seawater osmotically dilution systems. vacnt membranes were prepared via pyrolysis of polymer into the pores of alumina. the effect of the temperature of pyrolysis process on cnt’s structure is assessed, indicating that the crystallinity of the cnts increases in a higher pyrolysis temperature of 800 °c. a small-scale setup was designed for fo analysis, and measurements of biofouling, flux, and the effect of osmotic pressure were measured. furthermore, all analyses were compared with commercial tfc membrane, and results demonstrated that vacnt membrane had 40 % less biofouling potential and 2 times better flux results.