Membrane Charge Effects on Solute Transport in Polyamide Membranes

Fuente: arXiv
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Autori principali: Liu, Suwei, Foo, Zi Hao, Lienhard, John H., Keten, Sinan, Lueptow, Richard M.
Natura: Preprint
Pubblicazione: 2025
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author Liu, Suwei
Foo, Zi Hao
Lienhard, John H.
Keten, Sinan
Lueptow, Richard M.
author_facet Liu, Suwei
Foo, Zi Hao
Lienhard, John H.
Keten, Sinan
Lueptow, Richard M.
contents Polyamide membranes, such as nanofiltration (NF) and reverse osmosis (RO) membranes, are widely used for water desalination and purification. However, the mechanisms of solute transport and solute rejection due to charge interactions remain unclear at the molecular level. Here we use molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to examine the transport of single-solute feeds through charged nanofiltration membranes with different membrane charge concentrations of COO$^{\text{-}}$ and NH$_2\!^+$ corresponding to different pH levels. Results show that Na$^+$ and Cl$^{\text{-}}$ solute ions are better rejected when the membrane has a higher concentration of negatively charged groups, corresponding to a higher pH, whereas CaCl$_2$ is well-rejected at all pH levels studied. These results are consistent with experimental findings which are performed at the same pH conditions as simulation setup. Moreover, solute transport behavior depends on the membrane functional group distribution. When COO$^{\text{-}}$ functional groups are concentrated at membrane feed surface, ion permeation into the membrane is reduced. Counter-ions tend to associate with charged functional groups while co-ions seem to pass by the charged groups more easily. In addition, steric effects play a role when ions of opposite charge cluster in pores of the membrane. This study reveals solute transport and rejection mechanisms related to membrane charge and provides insights into how membranes might be designed to achieve specific desired solute rejection.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2503_10871
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Membrane Charge Effects on Solute Transport in Polyamide Membranes
Liu, Suwei
Foo, Zi Hao
Lienhard, John H.
Keten, Sinan
Lueptow, Richard M.
Soft Condensed Matter
Materials Science
Polyamide membranes, such as nanofiltration (NF) and reverse osmosis (RO) membranes, are widely used for water desalination and purification. However, the mechanisms of solute transport and solute rejection due to charge interactions remain unclear at the molecular level. Here we use molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to examine the transport of single-solute feeds through charged nanofiltration membranes with different membrane charge concentrations of COO$^{\text{-}}$ and NH$_2\!^+$ corresponding to different pH levels. Results show that Na$^+$ and Cl$^{\text{-}}$ solute ions are better rejected when the membrane has a higher concentration of negatively charged groups, corresponding to a higher pH, whereas CaCl$_2$ is well-rejected at all pH levels studied. These results are consistent with experimental findings which are performed at the same pH conditions as simulation setup. Moreover, solute transport behavior depends on the membrane functional group distribution. When COO$^{\text{-}}$ functional groups are concentrated at membrane feed surface, ion permeation into the membrane is reduced. Counter-ions tend to associate with charged functional groups while co-ions seem to pass by the charged groups more easily. In addition, steric effects play a role when ions of opposite charge cluster in pores of the membrane. This study reveals solute transport and rejection mechanisms related to membrane charge and provides insights into how membranes might be designed to achieve specific desired solute rejection.
title Membrane Charge Effects on Solute Transport in Polyamide Membranes
topic Soft Condensed Matter
Materials Science
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2503.10871