In this work, to improve the antifouling and separation performance of polycarbonate (PC) membranes in the petroleum refnery wastewater treatment, various amounts of magnesium–aluminum (Mg–Al)-layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanoparticles (0–2 wt%) were incorporated into PC membrane, for the frst time. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray difraction (XRD) and feld emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) characterizations confrmed the synthesis of Mg–Al LDH structure through the hydrothermal method, with diferent counter anions including nitrate (NO3 −) and carbonate (CO3 2−) presented in the interlayer spaces. The characteristics of the fabricated membranes were investigated using water contact angle and porosity analyses, FESEM and atomic force microscopy (AFM) techniques and mechanical properties. All membranes modifed with Mg–Al LDH hydrophilic nanoparticles showed a lower water contact angle and higher porosity as compared to the neat PC membrane. The FESEM micrographs of the cross section of the membrane indicated that the inclusion of CO3.Mg–Al LDH nanoparticles in the PC matrix led to the removal of the sponge-like layer of the membrane. The results of the petroleum refnery wastewater fltration experiment revealed that the irreversible fouling ratio (IFR) value decreased from 66.7% for the neat PC membrane to 10.5% and 19.1% for PC/CO3 Mg–Al LDH-1.5 and PC/NO3 Mg–Al LDH1.5 nanocomposite membranes, respectively. The membrane separation performance, measured by the total organic carbon (TOC) indicated that fltrates from all nanocomposite membranes had lower TOC values compared to the neat PC membrane.
