Influence of polymerization reaction time on the morphology and permeation properties of PAN/PA composite membranes

Polyacrylonitrile (PAN)/polyamide (PA) composite membranes were prepared by interfacial polymerization of trimesoylchloride (TMC) and piperazine (PIP) on the surface of supportmembranes. The variation of membrane performance and morphology was investigated by changing the reaction time of reactants. A series of structural analysis beside permeation test were applied as analytical experiments. The thickness and pore size of the active layerchanged clearly after changing the reaction time. The variation trend of membranes performance was different before and after 60 s reaction time as a result of pore size reduction and increment respectively around this time.

Keywords:

Interfacial polymerization , Polyacrylonitrile , Reaction time , composite membrane , salt rejection