In April 2024, a research team led by Professor Zhang Xuan of Nanjing University of Science and Technology presented a reverse osmosis membrane made of polyester. As the Xinhua news agency reported, the findings were published in the journal Science. Common polyamide membranes were damaged by chlorine, so chlorinated seawater had to be dechlorinated again before reverse osmosis. According to the report, the new material was completely resistant to chlorine and highly resistant to hydrolytic degradation, which could considerably reduce pre-treatment steps.
The report showed membrane research targeting the weak points of established polyamide membranes and treating simpler pre-treatment as a route to leaner desalination plants.
Source: Xinhua