Role of Organic Acids in Flux Enhancement of Polyamide Nanofiltration Membranes

Abstract A novel thin‐film composite (TFC) nanofiltration membrane containing hydrophilic organic additives was fabricated via interfacial polymerization. Three organic acids, i.e., lactic, maleic, and citric acid, served as aqueous‐phase additives and their role in membrane structure and nanofiltration membrane flux enhancement was investigated. Fourier transform‐infrared (FT‐IR) analysis confirmed the presence of organic acids in the polyamide (PA) layer. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) analyses were applied to investigate the membrane morphology. The more carboxylic functional groups present in the additive resulted in higher hydrophilicity and porosity and flux was enhanced significantly compared to the neat PA membrane, while salt rejection was influenced only to a minor extent.