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Published on: August 16, 2018
Deep Eutectic Solvent-Mediated Engineering of Polyamide Membranes for High-Performance Loose Nanofiltration
Yang Xu1,2, Zifeng Cao1,2, Huiqing Wu1,2
1College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China.
Polymer Science & Technology (Washington, D.C.)
|June 8, 2026
Summary
Anhydrous interfacial polymerization using deep eutectic solvents creates advanced loose nanofiltration membranes. These membranes offer superior water permeance and selective separation of dyes and antibiotics.
Area of Science:
- Membrane Science and Technology
- Polymer Chemistry
- Separation Processes
Background:
- Loose nanofiltration (LNF) is crucial for efficient separation and recovery of valuable components.
- Conventional interfacial polymerization methods struggle with precise structural control for LNF membranes.
- Developing novel fabrication strategies is essential for high-performance LNF membranes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an innovative anhydrous interfacial polymerization strategy for fabricating high-performance polyamide membranes for LNF applications.
- To utilize a deep eutectic solvent (DES) to control polymerization and membrane structure.
- To achieve precise pore architecture control for enhanced separation capabilities.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of polyamide membranes via anhydrous interfacial polymerization using piperazine and trimesoyl chloride.
- Employing a deep eutectic solvent (DES) as solvent, interface regulator, and polymerization mediator at the DES/cyclohexane interface.
- Characterization of membrane structure, water permeance, and molecular sieving capabilities.
Main Results:
- Formation of an ultrathin loose polyamide layer with precisely controlled pore architecture.
- Achieved high water permeance (48 L m⁻² h⁻¹ bar⁻¹).
- Demonstrated exceptional molecular sieving: NaCl/Congo red selectivity of 954 and NaCl/rifampicin selectivity of 72.7, surpassing existing LNF membranes.
Conclusions:
- The anhydrous interfacial polymerization strategy offers a breakthrough for designing high-performance LNF membranes.
- DES-mediated polymerization enables precise structural control, leading to superior separation efficiency.
- This innovative approach facilitates energy-efficient separation processes through advanced membrane design.
