Experimental and theoretical evaluation of the membrane affinity to water: role of modifiers in the control of the matrix performance

This work was aimed at evaluating adsorption of water molecules onto membrane surfaces modified by sulphonamide derivates. Controlling interfacial forces at the membrane-feed interface were assessed by combining experimental and theoretical studies. The phenomena experimentally observed were also interpreted by using quantum-chemical and dynamic approaches in order to correlate the membrane affinity to water with the availability and accessibility of polar moieties, enabling to form intermolecular interactions such as hydrogen bonds.

Modifications of the supra-molecular chemistry produced changes in membrane affinity to water, due to the key role of controlling interfacial forces at membrane-feed interface. QC understanding on the water sorption mechanisms (stable geometries and relative energy stability of involved structures) provided useful information about the interactions between additive–polymer, additive–additive and additive–water, emphasizing how the water membrane affinity can be directed by controlling the chemistry of the systems. As a result, new materials could be designed referred to water transport and cleavage of polymeric bonds, occurring in the hydrolytic degradations.