Catalytic conversion controlled interfacial polymerization for polyamide membranes

We propose a facile “catalytic conversion” strategy to control the interfacial polymerization of polyamide membranes for the first time. Continuous release of p-phenylenediamine (PPD) from pollutant p-nitrophenylamine (PNA) is regulated by catalytic time. The physicochemical property of polyamide membranes was characterized by surface morphology (SEM, AFM), ATR-FTIR and element variation (XPS). The rejection of polyamide membrane to Na2SO4 reach up to 90% when catalytic time is 10 min. The synthesized aromatic polyamide membrane shows tunable morphology, permeability and salt rejection from ultrafiltration to nanofiltration.