All-Polymeric Thin-Film Nanocomposite Membrane for Organic Solvent Nanofiltration

The fabrication of chemically stable and high-permeance polymeric membranes, compatible with both polar and nonpolar solvents, for use in solvent filtration is reported. Herein, poly(divinylbenzene-co-perfluorodecyl acrylate) (poly(DVB-co-PFDA) nanoparticles (NPs) are synthesized and integrated into the active layer of a thin-film composite membrane, constructing a thin-film nanocomposite (TFN) membrane. The TFN membranes demonstrate stability in organic solvent and exhibit permeance in the range 13.7 L/(m(2) h bar) for acetonitrile, with a molecular weight cutoff of similar to 328 Da for the solute. The use of polymeric NPs, compatible with the polyamide layer of the membranes, is the main reason behind the improved performance.

Automated summary

The research reports the fabrication of chemically stable and high-permeance polymeric membranes for use in solvent filtration, by synthesizing polymeric nanoparticles and integrating them into thin-film composite membranes. The membranes demonstrate stability in organic solvents and exhibit high permeance, with the main reason behind the improved performance being the use of polymeric nanoparticles compatible with the polyamide layer.