Issue 4, 2023

Unlocking the potential of polymeric desalination membranes by understanding molecular-level interactions and transport mechanisms

Abstract

Polyamide reverse osmosis (PA-RO) membranes achieve remarkably high water permeability and salt rejection, making them a key technology for addressing water shortages through processes including seawater desalination and wastewater reuse. However, current state-of-the-art membranes suffer from challenges related to inadequate selectivity, fouling, and a poor ability of existing models to predict performance. In this Perspective, we assert that a molecular understanding of the mechanisms that govern selectivity and transport of PA-RO and other polymer membranes is crucial to both guide future membrane development efforts and improve the predictive capability of transport models. We summarize the current understanding of ion, water, and polymer interactions in PA-RO membranes, drawing insights from nanofiltration and ion exchange membranes. Building on this knowledge, we explore how these interactions impact the transport properties of membranes, highlighting assumptions of transport models that warrant further investigation to improve predictive capabilities and elucidate underlying transport mechanisms. We then underscore recent advances in in situ characterization techniques that allow for direct measurements of previously difficult-to-obtain information on hydrated polymer membrane properties, hydrated ion properties, and ion–water–membrane interactions as well as powerful computational and electrochemical methods that facilitate systematic studies of transport phenomena.

Graphical abstract: Unlocking the potential of polymeric desalination membranes by understanding molecular-level interactions and transport mechanisms

Article information

Article type
Perspective
Submitted
04 Sept. 2022
Accepted
09 Dec. 2022
First published
13 Dec. 2022
This article is Open Access

All publication charges for this article have been paid for by the Royal Society of Chemistry
Creative Commons BY license

Chem. Sci., 2023,14, 751-770

Unlocking the potential of polymeric desalination membranes by understanding molecular-level interactions and transport mechanisms

T. R. Nickerson, E. N. Antonio, D. P. McNally, M. F. Toney, C. Ban and A. P. Straub, Chem. Sci., 2023, 14, 751 DOI: 10.1039/D2SC04920A

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence. You can use material from this article in other publications without requesting further permissions from the RSC, provided that the correct acknowledgement is given.

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