Work

Thermal-intensified interfacial polymerization enables ultra-selective reverse osmosis membrane for toxic micropollutant removal

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Polyamide reverse osmosis (RO) membranes are widely used in seawater desalination and wastewater reuse, yet often fail to remove small toxic micropollutants. Herein, we develop a thermal-intensified interfacial polymerization (TIP) strategy to fabricate highly selective RO membranes against various micropollutants. Facile heating accelerates amine monomer diffusion, intensifying interfacial polymerization to form a highly crosslinked polyamide membrane. The resultant TIP membrane achieves rejection of 90.8%, 98.0%, and > 99% for boron, arsenite, organic micropollutants at neutral pH, respectively. Meanwhile, high temperature facilitates interfacial degassing and promotes the formation of more extensive nanovoids within the polyamide. These nanovoids increase membrane surface area and optimize water transport pathways, thereby boosting water permeance. The combination of high solute rejection and water permeance enables the membrane to achieve high water-micropollutant selectivity (e.g., water-boron). Our study demonstrates that TIP technique holds a great promise to fabricate ultra-selective polyamide membranes for desalination and wastewater reuse.

Source: Nature Communications

DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-64056-z

Authors: Shenghua Zhou, Lu Elfa Peng, Wenyu Liu, Hao Guo, Chuyang Y. Tang

Institutions: University of Hong Kong, Department of Education of Guangdong Province, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University

Language: English

Topic: Membrane Separation Technologies

Subfield: Water Science and Technology

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Clean water and sanitation, Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $6,990