Composite membranes prepared from 2,2-bis[4-(2-hydroxy-3-methacryloyloxy propoxy)phenyl]propane derivatives and their mixtures for the reverse osmosis

In the previous study, it was exhibited that composite membrane prepared from 2,2-bis[4-(2-hydroxy-3-methacryloyloxy propoxy)phenyl]propane (Bis-GMA) had slightly lower salt rejection than that prepared from m-phenylenediamine (MPDA) and trimesoyl chloride (TMC), while water permeability of the former was three times larger than that of the latter. In order to develop membranes having enhanced salt rejection, derivatives of Bis-GMA, i.e., 2,2-bis[3-methyl,4-(2-hydroxy-3-methacryloyloxy propoxy)phenyl]propane (DMBis-GMA) and 2,2-bis[3,5-dimethyl,4-(2-hydroxy-3-methacryloyloxy propoxy)phenyl]propane (TMBis-GMA) were synthesized as new monomers for the active layer of composite membranes. Composite membranes prepared from the TMBis-GMA exhibited higher salt rejection than that prepared from MPDA and TMC. Water permeability of the former was also higher than that of the latter. The performance of composite membranes prepared from the mixtures of monomers was also examined.