Cellulose acetate membranes modified with carbon nanotubes for improved dye removal capacity

In this study, cellulose acetate (CA) membranes were fabricated using the dry-wet phase inversion method and modified with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to improve their separation properties. The addition of CNTs contributed to the strengthening of the membrane structure and to selective interactions with aromatic dye molecules. The membranes were characterized using FT-IR, XRD, and SEM. Tensile properties were also examined. The matrix density was determined by the high CA concentration and the presence of CNTs, which resulted in an increase in the naphthol dye retention rate to 65% at a permeate flux of 75.1 ± 3.7 LMH. Furthermore, the CNT-modified membranes demonstrated a balanced improvement in permeability, selectivity, and mechanical strength.