An ultrathin, cross-linked polyamide (PA) film prepared via a conventional interfacial polymerization method has been a standard material of the separation membrane for desalination, water treatment and organic solvent filtration. Despite its wide applicability, the highly heterogeneous and rough structure of the PA film hampered our understanding of its structure-property-performance relationship. This concern necessitated the development of the fabrication technique of the PA film with the precisely controlled and well-defined structure. In this talk, new fabrication techniques that enable the production of a uniform and smooth PA film, including layered interfacial polymerization, support-free interfacial polymerization and dual-slot coating, will be introduced. In particular, the layered interfacial polymerization technique is a combination of a layer-by-layer assembly and the interfacial polymerization process. The dual-slot coating method enables the simultaneous deposition of two reactive monomers and formation the PA film at the aqueous-organic free interface, which is subsequently adhered to a substrate. The prepared PA films were used as a model material platform for studying its structure-property relationship as well as a practical material platform for improving the membrane performance. Together with the film fabrication, interesting responses of the PA film to various organic solvents will be discussed. This unique behavior of the PA film provided fundamental insights into its structures and properties that can be tailored for practical applications.

New platform for the fabrication and tailoring of ultrathin polyamide films for desalination membranes

2019 Spring National Meeting

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