Abstract

The polyamide thin film composite (TFC) has been the standard platform for reverse osmosis and nanofiltration membranes for aqueous separations for decades. It combines the properties of high permeance and unmatched selectivity for desalination applications. The highly cross-linked structure of polyamides may enable its use in organic solvent separations with several studies showing promising results. The field lacks, however, a complete understanding of how polyamides may be impacted by solvent exposure. To investigate the impacts of solvent on polyamide, we formed polyamide selective layers through interfacial polymerization onto ceramic UF supports. We quantified the permeability and selectivity changes after polyamides were exposed to an alcohol (methanol), and a ketone (acetone), and a polar aprotic solvent (DMF). We used aqueous testing before and after exposure to quantify permanent changes in membrane performance. Our results show that not only are the polyamide properties altered by the exposure to solvents, but they also show that different solvents have very different impacts on polyamide performance. The results indicate that polyamides may not be robust enough to perform nanofiltration separations in solvent environments with predictable permeability and selectivity.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.