The present study aims to fabricate a novel forward osmosis (FO) membrane using cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB) polymer and functionalized multi-wall carbon nanotube (FMWCNT) for the concentration of barberry juice. For this purpose, the effect of carbon nanotubes addition to the membrane matrix on the water flux (JwFO) and reverse salt flux (JsFO) in FO process, salt permeability (B), salt rejection (R), structural parameter (S), and water permeability (A) was investigated. The addition of carbon nanotubes at low concentrations (0–0.06 wt%) increased the Jw FO, and decreased both the JsFO and the S. While a further increment in the concentration of carbon nanotubes (0.09–0.12 wt%) showed the opposite trend for the aforementioned parameters. The value of JwFO, JsFO, and structural parameter for optimal membrane of CAB-2 obtained 14.10 L/m2.h, 0.40 g/m2.h, and 312 μm, respectively. The barberry juice concentration results showed that using the optimal membrane led to a 4.6-fold increase in the concentration of barberry juice and a 8.2-fold increase in the total anthocyanin content.

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