Protein-Decorated Reverse Osmosis Membranes with High Gypsum Scaling Resistance

The global challenge of water scarcity has fueled significant interest in membrane desalination, particularly reverse osmosis (RO), for producing fresh water from various unconventional sources. However, mineral scaling remains a critical issue that compromises the membrane efficiency and lifespan. This study explores the use of naturally occurring proteins to develop scaling-resistant RO membranes through an eco-friendly modification method. We systematically evaluate three protein modification techniques, namely, polydopamine (PDA)-assisted coating, protein conditioning, and protein drying, for fabricating membranes resistant to gypsum scaling. Protein conditioning is found to be the most effective approach, resulting in protein-decorated membranes with an exceptional resistance to gypsum scaling. We also demonstrate that a hydrated protein layer is essential for optimal scaling resistance. To further understand the mechanism underlying the scaling resistance of protein-decorated membranes, five proteins (i.e., bovine serum albumin, casein, lactalbumin, lysozyme, and protamine) with distinct physicochemical properties are used to explore the key factors governing membrane scaling resistance. The results of dynamic RO experiments indicate that the molecular weight of proteins plays a crucial role, with higher molecular weights leading to higher membrane scaling resistance through steric effects. However, static experiments of bulk crystallization highlight the importance of electrostatic interactions, where proteins with more negative charge delay gypsum crystallization more effectively. These findings suggest the difference between gypsum scaling in the RO and gypsum crystallization in bulk solutions. Overall, this research offers a novel approach to developing resilient and sustainable RO membranes for the desalination of feedwater with high scaling potential while elucidating mechanistic insights on the mitigating effects of protein on gypsum scaling.