Advantages of the Composite Membrane Approach

The numerous examples of composite membranes that have appeared in the technical literature exemplify the versatility of this approach. To the chemist attempting to develop new reverse osmosis membranes, the composite approach has three major advantages. 

In this context, only two polymers have ever been used on a large scale in asymmetric membranes cellulose acetate and Permasep B-9/B-10 aramids. The former polymer predates the era of reverse osmosis membranes. The latter polymer has been used in hollow fiber membranes for 15 years. Attempts to bring other new polymers into asymmetric membrane production have been few (PBIL, PBI, polypiperazineamides), generally without particular success. 

Second, insoluble crosslinked barrier layer compositions are possible, and, in fact, are almost universal in the composite membrane approach. Optimum reverse osmosis performance and chemical stability can be achieved, in part, due to preparation of crosslinked compositions. This is readily possible by the composite membrane approach, but not so simple by the asymmetric membrane approach. The PA-300, FT-30, and PEC-1000 barrier layer compositions, for example, are simply not feasible to prepare by asymmetric film casting techniques. The composite approach, therefore, is far more versatile. 

Water flux through reverse osmosis membranes is considerably dependent on the hydrophilic character of the barrier layer. In the composite membrane approach, highly hydrophilic barrier layer compositions can be used, suitably insolubilized by crosslinking. To a large extent, water flux and salt rejection can be controlled by the type and extent of crosslinking. 

each layer of a composite membrane can be optimized. The barrier 

---