Method of preparing a nanocomposite membrane and nanocomposite membranes prepared thereof

A method, comprising:

• preparing a forward osmosis nanocomposite membrane comprising a selective layer and a porous support layer, the preparing including:
• (a) providing a nanocomposite solution comprising a polymer solution and nanomaterials;
• (b) subjecting the nanocomposite solution to a water bath, wherein subjecting the nanocomposite solution to the water bath produces a gel nanocomposite membrane;
• and
• (c) subjecting the gel nanocomposite membrane to a heat treatment to form the porous support layer, wherein subjecting the gel nanocomposite membrane to the heat treatment solidifies the gel nanocomposite membrane and forms the porous support layer, wherein the forward osmosis nanocomposite membrane is configured to operate based on an osmotic pressure differential thereacross such that water is filtered through the forward osmosis nanocomposite membrane into a draw solution at a permeate side of the forward osmosis nanocomposite membrane from a feed solution at another side of the forward osmosis nanocomposite membrane opposing the permeate side, the draw solution having a higher solute concentration than the feed solution, wherein the nanomaterials are dispersed within the polymer matrix of the forward osmosis nanocomposite membrane, and wherein the nanomaterials are selected from the group consisting of titanium dioxide, tetraethylorthosilicate, aluminosilicate, and zeolite.