Multifunctional Thin-Film Nanofiltration Membrane Incorporated with Reduced Graphene Oxide@TiO₂@Ag Nanocomposites for High Desalination Performance, Dye Retention, and Antibacterial Properties

High desalination performance, dye retention, and antibacterial properties were achieved with a multifunctional thin-film nanocomposite (MTFN) membrane, fabricated by the incorporation of a novel nanocomposite structure of reduced graphene oxide@TiO2@Ag (rGO@TiO2@Ag) into the polyamide active layer. The specific characteristics of the graphene-based nanocomposite, synthesized by the microwave-assisted irradiation process, favored water channelization and provided superhydrophilicity and antibacterial properties to the MTFN membranes. In comparison with the conventional methods, such as multistep chemical process using strong agents for reduction and long-term energy-consuming hydrothermal process, microwave irradiation facilitated a green, fast, and cost-effective route for the fabrication of GO-based nanocomposites for multifunctional applications. Interfacial polymerization was performed on a polyethersulfone/Si3N4 robust hollow fiber substrate using m-phenylenediamine aqueous solution and 1,3,5-benzenetricarbonyltrichloride organic solution. The structural and chemical characteristics of the synthesized nanocomposites and the MTFN membranes were thoroughly studied by a series of characterization analyses (transmission electron microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy). The physicochemical properties and the nanofiltration performance of the MTFN membranes were investigated after the incorporation of rGO@TiO2@Ag at various concentrations. The water contact angles confirmed the superb surface hydrophilicity of the MTFN membranes. High permeability (52 L·m–2·h–1), desalination (96% for 1 g/L Na2SO4 feed solution), and dye retention (98% for 0.5 g/L rose bengal feed solution) were recorded for MTFN enriched with 0.2 wt % rGO@TiO2@Ag. A 90% reduction in the number of viable bacteria (Escherichia coli), after 3 h of contact with MTFN membranes, confirmed the superior antibacterial activity of the produced membranes.