Development of Polyamide-Modified Membranes for Solar-Driven Seawater Desalination System

In response to the escalating global water crisis, this study introduces the development of polyamide-modified membranes (PA-PES, PA-PP, and PA-PTFE) through interfacial polymerization to enhance the efficiency of a passive solar desalination system. FTIR analysis and morphological characterization showed that a thin polyamide film formed above the modified membranes using m-phenylene diamine (MPD) and trimesoyl chloride (TMC). Notable improvements were observed in its productivity and distillate salinity by integrating these modified membranes into the membrane distiller of the system. Mainly, the PA-PES membrane achieved productivity of 764.56 ml/m 2 -h and reduced salinity to as low as 2 g NaCl/L. Despite challenges in salinity reduction, possibly due to residual chlorides, this study demonstrates the potential of polyamide-modified membranes in advancing solar-driven desalination, offering a promising solution to mitigate global water scarcity. This research paves the way for further advancements in sustainable desalination technology, emphasizing the need for continued optimization and exploration of membrane-based systems.