(619g) Understanding TFC Membrane Compaction By Viscoelastic Theory and Permeance Modeling Using Realistic Parameters

Understanding the compaction mechanism of the TFC membrane by math modeling using realistic mechanical and morphological parameters is crucial for the performance prediction and the future design of the TFC membrane. In this work, we developed a model based on the viscoelastic theory of polymers and calculated the membrane permeance by the resistance-in-series model using a Monte Carlo approach. Results show that during compaction, the flux decline can be mainly attributed to the foam polymer part of the support membrane, especially the properties of the polyamide-foam polymer interface. The experimental data on commercial membranes were fitted based on the estimated/measured mechanical and morphological parameters, and the effect of these parameters was discussed. Finally, the model can quantitatively prove the trade-off relationship between support membrane mechanical property and permeance, which will have a broader impact on related fields such as heat transfer foams, biological scaffolds in tissue engineering, etc.