Breakthrough in Nanotechnology: Novel Thin-Film Nanocomposite Membrane for Reverse Osmosis Applications

Strategic Insights -

A team of researchers at Shinshu University in Nagano, Japan, has developed a novel thin-film nanocomposite reverse osmosis (RO) membrane for point-of-use applications at super-ultralow pressure. The membrane incorporates carboxymethylated cellulose nanofibers (CM-CNF), which significantly improves water flux, salt rejection stability, antifouling characteristics, and resistance to chlorine degradation compared to commercial RO membranes.

Key Takeaways:

  • The novel RO membrane was developed for point-of-use applications at super-ultralow pressure (0.2 MPa), incorporating carboxymethylated cellulose nanofibers (CM-CNF).
  • The CM-CNF membrane exhibits improved water flux, salt rejection stability, antifouling characteristics, and resistance to chlorine degradation compared to commercial RO membranes.
  • The average thickness of the PA/CM-CNF membrane is 1050 nm, corresponding to more than four leaf-like layers, significantly higher than commercial membranes.
  • The membrane achieved 93.9% salt rejection and a water permeation rate of 0.93 m/d, doubling the performance of commercial membranes in tests with CaCl2 at 0.2 MPa.
  • Dynamic simulations confirmed the influence of CM-CNF on enhancing water diffusion at low pressure (0.2 MPa).
  • The CM-CNF membrane demonstrated superior performance in POU-RO tests, achieving high recovery rates (60%) and high permeation rates (close to 0.7 m/d).
  • The research was supported by Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, JSPS Program for Forming Japan's Peak Research Universities, Shinshu University, Center of Innovation Program Global Aqua Innovation Center for Improving Living Standards and Water-sustainability, and Japan Science & Technology Agency (JST).
  • Additional authors for the research include Juan Luis Fajardo-Diaz, Armando David Martinez-Iniesta, Morinobu Endo, Kazou Izu, Shigero Saito, Jun Maeda, Takuya Hayashi, Kenji Takeuchi, Ayaka Yamanaka, Syogo Tejima, My Ali El Khakani, Winadda Wongwiriyapan, and Feng Wang.

Statistics:

  • Average thickness of the PA/CM-CNF membrane: 1050 nm
  • Salt rejection: 93.9%
  • Water permeation rate: 0.93 m/d
  • High recovery rates: 60%
  • High permeation rates: close to 0.7 m/d

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Investigators from Shinshu University Release New Data on Nanocomposites (Advanced Water Production Via Point of Use Super-ultralow-pressure Reverse Osmosis and Cellulose-polyamide Thin-film Nanocomposite Membranes). Nanotechnology Weekly. August 4, 2025; p 850.
  • Advanced Materials Interfaces. Advanced Water Production Via Point of Use Super-ultralow-pressure Reverse Osmosis and Cellulose-polyamide Thin-film Nanocomposite Membranes. 2025.