Accessing greater thickness and new morphology features in polyamide active layers of thin-film composite membranes by reducing restrictions in amine monomer supply.

ABSTRACT: Polyamide formation, via interfacial polymerization (IP) during thin-film composite (TFC) membrane fabrication, is regarded as self-limiting-in the sense that the polyamide film limits its own growth as it forms. During IP, trimesoyl chloride (TMC) and m-phenylenediamine (MPD) react rapidly to form an incipient polyamide film that densifies and slows the diffusion of the more permeable monomer (MPD), thereby limiting polyamide growth and yielding films that typically exhibit thicknesses <350 nm. The morphology of these polyamide films is characterized by a basal layer of void nodular and leaf-like features that is sometimes overlaid by a secondary layer of overlapping flat features. Here, we present evidence showing that polyamide active layers are substantially permeable to MPD, an

SUBMITTER: Grzebyk K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8870508 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature