Nanofiller-confined spatial fluctuation in monomer diffusion synthesizing ultrafast reverse osmosis membranes driven by hydrogen-bonding networks.

ABSTRACT: Thin-film composite (TFC) reverse osmosis (RO) membranes encounter a significant trade-off between water permeability and selectivity. This study presents a mechanism to address this limitation by altering the structure of the polyamide (PA) layer. By incorporating layered double hydroxides (LDH) and sodium lignosulfonate (SL), we establish differential diffusion resistances during interfacial polymerization (IP). This approach facilitates the diffusion of m-phenylenediamine (MPD) across the interface while concurrently inhibiting it in the bulk phase, thereby inducing spatial fluctuations in monomer diffusion. The resulting heterogeneous polymerization dynamics yield a thin, highly wrinkled PA layer that promotes ultrafast water transport. Moreover, the hydrophilic sulfonic groups (-SO

SUBMITTER: Lin R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12615618 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature