Preparation and Research of Aromatic Polyamide Membranes Modified with Organic Acids

Abstract

In the article, the results of obtaining and researching membranes based on aromatic polyamide poly[N,N′-(1,3-phenylene)isophthalamid] (PMIA) are discussed. Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and low-molecular mono-, di-and tribasic organic acids were used as additives to improve the physical and chemical characteristics of polymer membranes. The membranes were fabricated by the wet-phase inversion method. The properties of the modified membranes were investigated in terms of water uptake capacity and experimentally using a laboratory tangential microfiltration module. Membrane structure and morphology were studied by scanning probe microscope. These additives (acetic acid, succinic acid, citric acid) exerted a strong impact on the rheological properties of the casting solution, thereby altering the membrane morphology, surface roughness, water flux and the hydrophilicity of the membranes, as compared to those of the polyamide membrane. The results showed that membrane under optimised conditions (LiCl 5wt%, PVP 3wt%, organic acid 1wt%) exhibited an increased pure water flux (685.5 l/m2h). The performance of the membranes revealed that the prepared membrane with citric acid offered a higher efficiency compared to those of the membranes with acetic acid and succinic acid. © 2025, Scibulcom Ltd.. All rights reserved.