Interfacial polymerization at unconventional interfaces: an emerging strategy to tailor thin-film composite membranes.

Chem Commun (Camb)

MOE Engineering Research Center of Membrane and Water Treatment, and Key Lab of Adsorption and Separation Materials & Technologies of Zhejiang Province, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China.

Published: November 2023


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Article Abstract

Interfacial polymerization is a well-known process to synthesize separation layers for thin film composite membranes at an immiscible organic liquid-aqueous liquid interface. The organic-aqueous interface determines the diffusion dynamics of monomers and the chemical environment for polymerization, exerting a critical influence on the formation of polymer thin films. This review summarizes recent advances in tailoring interfacial polymerization using interfaces beyond the conventional alkane-water interface to achieve high-performance separation films with designed structures. Diverse liquid-liquid interfaces are introduced for synthesizing separation films by adding co-solvents into the organic phase and/or the aqueous phase, respectively, or by replacing one of the liquid phases with other solvents. Innovative liquid-gel and liquid-gas interfaces are then summarized for the synthesis of polymer thin films for separation. Novel strategies to form reaction interfaces, such as spray-coating, are also presented and discussed. In addition, we discuss the details of how a physically or chemically patterned substrate affects interfacial polymerization. Finally, the potential of unconventional interfaces in interfacial polymerization is forecast with both challenges and opportunities.

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http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/d3cc04171aDOI Listing

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