Hydrophilic silica additives for disulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone) random copolymer membranes

► Chlorine-resistant disulfonated copolymer (BPS-20)-silica nanocomposites are fabricated for membrane desalination. ► Homogenously distributed silica particles improve salt rejection without significant loss of water permeability. ► At a high concentration, the silica provides a barrier which reduces water permeability.