Advanced fabrication and characterization of thin-film composite polyamide membranes for superior performance in reverse osmosis desalination

• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-97871-x
• Publication Date: 2025-04-30T02:30:05Z
• Authors: Ayman Eltahan; Nesreen Ismail; Marwa Khalil; Shaker Ebrahim; Moataz Soliman; Ehssan Nassef; Ashraf Morsy
• Keywords: Thin-film composite membrane; Phase inversion; Polysulfone; Interfacial polymerization

Abstract Thin film composite (TFC) polyamide membranes are crucial for efficient reverse osmosis (RO) desalination, offering high selectivity and permeability. This study investigates the fabrication optimization of TFC on polysulfone supports, focusing their structural, morphological, performance properties enhanced desalination efficiency using phase inversion technique, a method that enables precise control over membrane structure. Key parameters including concentrations m-phenylene diamine (MPD) trimesoyl chloride (TMC), immersion times both monomers were systematically varied to investigate impact hydrophilicity, morphology, Hydrophilicity was assessed via contact angle measurements, Scanning electron microscopy used characterize morphology (SEM), structural analyzed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The RO membranes’ evaluated measuring water flux salt rejection in cross-flow setup with saline (10,000 ppm) under controlled processing conditions. Results indicated variations MPD TMC concentrations, as well times, significantly influenced hydrophilicity pore structure, affecting rejection. maximum prepared thin 98.6% 19.1 L/m 2 h, respectively obtained at m-phenylenediamine concentration wt% tri mesoyl 0.1 wt/v reacted 1 min. provides insights into optimizing TFC-RO enhance efficiency, highlighting potential these high-performance applications.