Surface modification of aromatic polyamide membranes with polyols for improved antifouling properties

Thin-film composite nanofiltration membranes were fabricated using interfacial polymerization between piperazine and trimesoyl chloride and they were subsequently modified by surface functionalization with a polyol compound of two different chiral configurations, namely, 3-amino-1,2propanediol and (R)-3-amino-1,2-propanediol, to improve their antifouling properties. The physicochemical and morphological properties of the resulting membranes were thoroughly characterized. Furthermore, the performance of the functionalized membranes in terms of productivity, rejection, and fouling behavior was compared with the performance of an unmodified control membrane and that of a commercial nanofiltration membrane, showing improved characteristics.