Reverse osmosis(RO)membranes have been widely used in seawater desalination,ultrapure water production,wastewater treatment,pharmaceutical and biological industries.The whole aromatic polyamide thin-film composite membrane (TFC)is the most successful reverse osmosis membrane nowadays.The performance of reverse osmosis membrane is decided by the physical structures and chemical properties of the ultra-thin polyamide layer.Progress on reverse osmosis composite membrane, including the formation process of interfacially polymerized composite membrane,novel monomers used for interfacial polymerization,the additives,nano hybrid reverse osmosis membrane,highly chlorine-tolerant reverse osmosis membrane and new characterization methods for reverse osmosis membranes are introduced briefly in this review.