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Ultrahigh pressure compaction-resistant thin film crosslinked composite reverse osmosis membranes

Author

Listed:
  • Jishan Wu

    (University of California
    Rice University)

  • Javier A. Quezada-Renteria

    (University of California)

  • Jinlong He

    (Sichuan University)

  • Minhao Xiao

    (University of California)

  • Yuanmiaoliang Chen

    (Rice University)

  • Hanqing Fan

    (Rice University)

  • Xinyi Wang

    (University of California)

  • Fiona Chen

    (Rice University)

  • Kevin Pataroque

    (Yale University)

  • Yara Suleiman

    (University of Connecticut)

  • Sina Shahbazmohamadi

    (University of Connecticut)

  • N. A. Sreejith

    (National Renewable Energy Laboratory)

  • Hariswaran Sitaraman

    (National Renewable Energy Laboratory)

  • Marc Day

    (National Renewable Energy Laboratory)

  • Ying Li

    (University of Wisconsin-Madison)

  • David Jassby

    (University of California)

  • Jeffrey R. McCutcheon

    (University of Connecticut)

  • Menachem Elimelech

    (Rice University
    Rice University)

  • Eric M. V. Hoek

    (University of California
    Lawrence Berkeley National Lab)

Abstract

In this study, we present a class of thin-film crosslinked (TFX) composite reverse osmosis (RO) membranes that resist physical compaction at ultrahigh pressures (up to 200 bar). Since RO membranes experience compaction at virtually all pressure ranges, the ability to resist compaction has widespread implications for RO membrane technology. The process described herein involves crosslinking a phase inverted porous polyimide (PI) support membrane followed by interfacial polymerization of a polyamide layer, thereby forming a fully thermoset composite membrane structure. We explore a range of phase inversion membrane formation parameters such as PI concentration, solvent-cosolvent ratios, coagulation bath composition, and crosslinking methods in addition to interfacial polymerization reaction chemistry and conditions. Overall, TFX membranes exhibit significantly less compaction compared to hand-cast and commercial high-pressure RO membranes, experiencing less than 10% decline in water permeance and maintaining salt rejection over 99% for NaCl solutions up to 180,000 mg/L with 200 bar applied pressure.

Suggested Citation

  • Jishan Wu & Javier A. Quezada-Renteria & Jinlong He & Minhao Xiao & Yuanmiaoliang Chen & Hanqing Fan & Xinyi Wang & Fiona Chen & Kevin Pataroque & Yara Suleiman & Sina Shahbazmohamadi & N. A. Sreejith, 2025. "Ultrahigh pressure compaction-resistant thin film crosslinked composite reverse osmosis membranes," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-63639-0
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-63639-0
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