LIQUID MEMBRANES AT CELLULOSE ACETATE MEMBRANE/SALINE SOLUTION INTERFACE IN REVERSE OSMOSIS

A surfactant layer at the interface between a cellulose acetate membrane and a saline solution in reverse osmosis acts as a liquid membrane in series with the solid membrane gel. Partial liquid membranes exist below, and complete liquid membranes at, or above, the critical micelle concentration (CMC) of the surfactant feed additive. The effectiveness of liquid membranes in increasing the permselectivity of the underlying gelatinous membrane in reverse osmosis increases with increasing hydrophilicity and is believed to be related to the capacities of the various surfactants for binding water and forming ordered and densely packed structures. © 1968.