A mixed matrix membrane (MMMs) was fabricated in two steps, first by formation of modified substrate and second is deposition of electrospun fibrous layer with varying sepiolite concentration for nanofiltration. MMM3 showed an optimal MgSO4 rejection of 97.6% with 40.8 L/m(2) h flux while MMM5 showed highest MgCl2 rejection of 96.95% with flux of 31 L/m(2) h. The fouling data revealed that modified surface is effective in improving the antifouling property which caused decrease in the adsorption phenomena of microbes on to the surface. The antibacterial properties of the membranes showed the inhibition of the growth of Escherichia coli. (C) 2017 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.