Reverse osmosis membranes have been playing a main role for the desalination of water in the world. Hydration structure of polyamide functional layer of the membrane was studied via neutron scattering and atomistic molecular dynamics simulations. Experimental and computational structure factors, S(Q), of the polyamide/water system showed good agreement. Water clusters in water-rich system were well connected to each other and formed channel-like structure. Polyamide–water interactions and polyamide-polyamide interactions, which are thought to be important to enhance the performance of the membranes, were examined in detail.
- Tomonori Kawakami
- Masaru Nakada
- Masahiro Kimura
