Simple cross-linked hydrophilic interlayer for the preparation of high-performance reverse osmosis membranes

PA-0.1 reverse osmosis (RO) membrane was fabricated via interfacial polymerization on a cross-linked hydrophilic PVA interlayer. Compared with the unmodified control group, it had a higher cross-linking degree and larger leaf size, enhancing water permeability to 6.83 LMH bar-1 and NaCl rejection to 98.23%, respectively. When this modification method is applied to the pilot production line, the prepared RO membrane shows more excellent performance. The permeability and desalination rate can reach 7.33 LMH bar⁻¹ and 98.89%, respectively. Under standard water-efficiency conditions, the 2012 spiral-wound module based on the pilot line showed a 95.3% salt rejection at 70.7% recovery, indicating its practical potential.