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Article analysis:

This article provides an overview of the use of polyamide thin film nanocomposite membranes assisted by tannic acid–FeIII functionalized multiwall carbon nanotubes (TA-MWNTs) for membrane-based separation technology. The authors propose a green, facile, and robust approach to functionalize MWNTs using tannic acid and iron ions to form a uniform TA–FeIII metal–organic network coating on the surface of MWNTs. The properties of the TFN membrane were then systematically investigated in terms of water flux, salt rejection, contact angle, long-term stability, antifouling ability, and chlorine resistance.

The article is generally well written and provides detailed information about the proposed method for functionalizing MWNTs with tannic acid–FeIII complex coatings as well as its potential applications in membrane-based separation technology. However, there are some areas where more information could be provided or further research could be conducted to improve the trustworthiness and reliability of this article. For example, while the authors provide evidence that their proposed method is “green” and “facile” compared to other methods for functionalizing MWNTs such as sulfonation or amination processes which are often toxic or labor intensive; they do not provide any evidence that their method is actually more effective than these other methods in terms of improving membrane performance or reducing fouling. Additionally, while they discuss potential advantages such as improved compatibility between MWNTs and polymer matrix due to chemical crosslinking polyester bonding between TA and TMC; they do not provide any evidence that this actually occurs or that it has any effect on membrane performance or stability. Furthermore, while they discuss potential improvements in chlorine resistance due