An integrated statistic and systematic approach to study correlation of synthesis condition and desalination performance of thin film composite membranes

• Systematic study of TFC membranes synthesis factors and their interactions.
• Statistical correlating of some synthesis variables to permeate flux and salt rejection.
• Elucidate structure-performance relationship for TFC membranes.
• PSF concentration and MPD soaking were the most significant factors on responses.
• Interaction of soaking time with curing time & PSF content on salt rejection was significant.

Thin film composite (TFC) membranes are the most commonly used polymeric membranes in desalination process. The membrane properties and performance are dominated by many fabrication parameters, including chemistry of polymers and synthesis conditions. This study was aimed to develop an integrated statistic-systematic approach to study the correlation between fabrication condition and desalination performance of the TFC membranes. Three key fabrication factors: polysulfone concentration, aqueous phase soaking time and heat curing time were statistically analysed to determine their optimal values and interactional influence on desalination performance. The desalination performance was systematically evaluated based on permeate flux and salt rejection. It is expected that statistic results can facilitate the understanding of synthesis-performance correlations of TFC membranes. Two mathematical models for correlating fabrication factors with permeate flux and salt rejection were developed. The most influential correlations were identified as the polysulfone concentration - permeate flux and soaking time - salt rejection. Interaction of soaking time with polysulfone concentration and curing time was determined to have significant impact on the salt rejection. Our findings highlighted the importance of considering interactions between the fabrication conditions and desalination performance when devising a strategy to fabricate TFC membranes for maximising desalination performance.

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