In-situ neutron reflectivity study of the liquid-aerosol interfacial polymerization for polyamide film formation

Polyamides form a class of polymers with exceptional performance for a wide range of functional applications, especially in water filtration membrane technology. Fully aromatic polyamides that have excellent high-temperature stability combined with tuneable physical and chemical properties are increasingly used for a range of industrial applications. The conventional interfacial polymerisation at the liquid/liquid interface is widely used in nowadays' applications, however, this process necessitates large quantities of organic hexane solvents and monomers, which are not easily recoverable without additional treatment, leading to substantial chemical waste, increased costs, and environmental impact. In this work, we will investigate interfacial polymerisation at the liquid/aerosol interface, not just by spraying hexane and TMC aerosol onto the surface of water and MPD, but also by reversing the process, spraying water and MPD aerosol onto the surface of hexane and TMC at relatively low densities. By studying the kinetics of polyamide thin-film membrane formation, the findings will help us uncover the fundamental formation mechanisms, with the goal of enhancing the design of high-performance membranes.