Thin film nanocomposite membrane incorporated with clay-ionic liquid framework for enhancing rejection of epigallocatechin gallate in aqueous media

Tea catechins are the major ingredients in tea polyphenols. The design of nanomaterials from natural resources for versatile applications is a global topic of research. Here, we have reported a new and versatile Thin Film Nanocomposite (TFN) membrane that was developed from ionic liquid functionalized bentonite clay. Clay-[1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride] framework was introduced as a nano additive to prepare high performance TFN membranes of thermal stability 630 ºC. The polyamide layer was designed over the membrane surface for selective separation of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). In this work, diffusive mass transfer across porous hydrophilic surfaces is significant in an emerging trade-off between membrane flux and permeability for selective separation of EGCG. The membrane showed 94% rejection at pressure 5 bar, flow rate of 23 mL.min−1 and feed concentration of 1.5 mmol.L−1. The membrane showed its efficiency for its reusability. This study confirms the desirable applicability of novel functionalized bentonite (FBn) based TFN membranes for selective separation of biomolecule in aqueous media.