GB2390042A

GB2390042A - Membrane comprising cross-linked polyfunctional epoxy compound

Info

Publication number: GB2390042A
Application number: GB0214603A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ja-Young Koo; Soon Sik Kim; Sung Ro Yoon; Sung Pyo Hong
Original assignee: Saehan Industries Inc
Current assignee: Toray Chemical Korea Inc
Priority date: 2002-06-24
Filing date: 2002-06-25
Publication date: 2003-12-31
Anticipated expiration: 2022-06-25
Also published as: NL1020950C2; GB0214603D0; DE10228148A1; DE10228148B4; FR2843045A1; FR2843045B1; GB2390042B; JP2004025102A; JP3860510B2

Abstract

A microporous membrane comprises a microporous support and a hydrophilic coating on the microporous support, the coating being made by applying to the microporous support a quantity of a polyfunctional epoxy compound comprising at least two epoxy groups, and then cross-linking the polyfunctional epoxy compound to yield a water-insoluble polymer. Also claimed is a method of making the membrane. There are independent claims for a composite polyamide reverse osmosis membrane comprising a microporous support, a polyamide layer on the support and a cross-linked polyfunctional epoxy layer on the polyamide layer, and a method of making such a membrane. The composite polyamide reverse osmosis membrane is preferable made by an interfacial reaction between a polyfunctional amine and an amine-reactive reactant, such as an acyl halide, a sulfonyl halide or an isocyanate. The method of making the membrane involves contacting the membrane support with a solution of the reactants and effecting curing, optionally catalysed by an acid, a base or heat. The microporous support may be a microfiltration membrane of an ultrafiltration membrane.

Description

hi: do: SELECTIVE MEMBRANE HAVING A HIGH FOULING R1LSIST.ICE

1',,,;,

BACKGROUIID OF 11IE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to selective membranes and relates more particularly to selective membranes having a high fouling resistance.

It is known that dissolved substances can be separated from their solvents by the use of various types of selective membranes, such selective membranes including - listed in order of increasing pore size - reverse osmosis membranes, ultrafiltration membranes and nicrofiltration membranes. One use to which reverse osmosis membranes have previously been put is in the desalination of brackish water or seawater to provide large volumes of relatively nor-salty water suitable for industrial, agricultural or home use. What is involved in the desalination of brackish water or seawater using reverse osmosis membranes is literally a filtenug out of salts and other dissolved ions or molecules from the salty water by forcing the salty water through a reverse osmosis membrane whereby purified waterpasses through the membrane while salts and other dissolved ions and molecules do not pass through the membrane. Osmotic pressure works against the reverse osmosis process, and the more concentrated the feed water, the greater the osmotic pressure which must be overcome.

A reverse osmosis membranes in order to be commercially useful in desalinating brackish water or seawater on a large scale, must possess certain properties. One such property is that the membrane have a high salt rejection coefficient. In fact, for the desalinated water to be suitable for many commercial applications, the reverse osmosis membrane should have a saltrejection capability of at least about 97%. Another important property of a reverse osmosis membrane is that the membrane possess a high flux characteristic, i.e., the ability to pass a relatively large amount of water

! through the membrane at relatively low pressures. Typically, the flux for the membrane should be greater than 10 gallons/ft2-day (god) at a pressure of 800 psi for seawater and should be greater than 15 god at a pressure of 220 psi for brackish water. For certain applications, a rejection rate that is less than that which would otherwise be desirable may be acceptable in exchange for higher flux and vice versa.

One common type of reverse osmosis membrane is a composite membrane comprising a rnicroporous support and a thin polyamide film formed on the rnicroporous support. Typically, the polyamide fimn is formed by an interracial polymerization of a polyfunctional amine anc polyfunctional acyl halide.

An example of the aforementioned composite polyamide reverse osmosis membrane is disclosed in U.S. Patent blot 4,277,344, inventor Cadotte, which issued July 7, 1981, and which is incorporated herein by reference. The aforementioned patent describes an aromatic polyamide film which is the interracial reaction product of an aromatic polyamide having at least two princely amines substituents with an aromatic acyl halide having at least three acyl halide substituents. In the preferred embodiment, a porous polysulfone support is coated with m-phenylenediamine in water.

After removal of excess m-phenylenediarnine solution from the coated support, the coated support is covered with a solution of trirnesoyl chloride dissolved in "FREON" IT solvent (trichlorotrifluoroethane). The contact time for the interracial reaction is 10 seconds, and the reaction is substantially complete in I second. The resulting polysulfonelpolyarnide composite is then airdried.

Although the Cadotte membrane described above exhibits good flux and good salt rejection.

various approaches have been taller to further improve the flu and salt rejection of composite

poyarnide reverse osmosis membranes. In addition, other approaches have been taken to improve the resistance of said membranes to chemical degradation and the like. Iviany of these approaches have involved the use of various types of additiveY4o!e solutions used in the interracial polycondensation reaction.

For example, in U.S. Patent No. 4,872,984, inventor Tomaschke, which issued October 10, 1989, and which is incorporated herein by reference, there is disclosed an aromatic polyamide membrane formed by (a) coating a microporous support with an aqueous solution comprising (i) an essentially monomeric, aromatic, polyamine reactant having at least two amine functional groups and (ii) a monofunctional, monomeric (i.e., polymerizable) amine salt to form a liquid layer on the microporous support, (b) contacting the liquid layer with an organic solvent solution of an essentially monomeric, aromatic, amine-reactive reactant comprising a polyfimctional acyl halide or mixture thereof, wherein the aminereactive reactant has, on the average, at least about 9.2 acyl halide groups per reactant molecule, and (c) drying the product of step (b), generally in an oven at about 600C to 110 C for about I to 10 minutes, so as to form a water permeable membrane.

Other patents disclosing the use of additives in the solutions employed In the interracial polycondensadon reaction include: U.S. Patent No. 4,98; ,291, inventors Chau et al., which issued January 8, 1991; U.S. Patent No. S,576,057, inventors Hirose et al., which issued November 19, 1996, U.S. PatentNo.5,614,099, inventors Hirose et al., whichissuedMarch25, 1997; U. S. Patent No.4,950,404, inventor Chau, which issued August 1, 1990, U.S. Patent No.4,830,885, inventors Tran et al., which issued leeway 16, 1989; U.S. Patent No. 6,'45,934, inventors Koo et al., which issued June 1, 2001; U.S. Patent No. 6.063,978, inventors Koo et al.. which issued Wily 1 6, 9000;

and U.S. Patent No. 6,015,495, inventors Koo et al., which issued January 18, 2000, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. lo,, i, Another approach which has been taken to improve the performance of a composite polyamide reverse osmosis membrane is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,178,766, inventors Ikeda et al., which issued January 197 199, and which is incorporated herein by reference. According to Ikeda et al., the salt rejection rate of a composite polyamide reverse osmosis membrane is said to be improved by covalently bonding to the polyamide film of said membrane a compound having a quaternary nitrogen atom. Said quatenary nitrogen atom-containing compound is bonded to the polyamide film through a reactive group present in the compound, said reactive group being a epoxy group, an azLidine group, an episulfide group, a halogenated alkyl group? an amino group? a carboxylic group, a halogenated carbonyl group, or a hydroxy group.

One problem encountered by many of the various composite polyamide reverse osmosis membranes described above is fouling, i.e., the undesired adsorption of solutes to the membrane.

thereby causing a reduction in flux exhibited by the membrane. Fouling is typically caused by hydrophobic-hydrophobic and/or ionic interactions between the polyamide film ofthe membrane and those solutes present in the solution being filtered. As con readily be appreciated, fouling is undesirable not only because it results in a reduction in flux performance for the membrane but also because it requires that operating pressures be varied frequently to compensate for the variations in flux experienced during said reduction. In addition, fouling also requires that the membrane be cleaned frequently.

One approach to the problem of fouling is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6. 17,.01 1, inventors Hachisuka et al., which issued January 3. 001, and which is incorporated herein by reference.

. According to Hachisuka et al., fouling can be reduced by coating the polyamide film of Be membrane with at least one substance selected from thó.rou,p consisting of an electrically neutral organic substance and a polymer that has a nonionic hydrophilic group, said organic substance or polymer preferably being a polyvinyl alcohol.

s

SUlliVIARY OF THE INVENTION it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel fouling resistant selective ,' I' membrane. It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel composite polyamide reverse osmosis membrane that possesses high fouling resistance.

The present invention is premised on the unexpected discovery that the resistance of a composite polyamide reverse osmosis membrane to fouling con be significantly improved by treating said membrane with a hydrophilic coating, said hydrophilic coating being made by (i) applying to the membrane a quantity of a polyfunctional epoxy compound, said polyfunctional epoxy compound comprising at least two epoxy groups, and (ii) then, cross-lirking the polyfunctional epoxy compound in such a manner as to yield a water-insoluble polymer. Typically, said crosslinking step involves the opening of said epoxy groups by nucleophilic attack to yield an ether or an alcohol.

Where the polyfunctional epoxy compound has exactly two epoxy groups, said cross-linking step comprises bonding the polyfunctional epoxy compound to a cross-linking compound, said CROSS linking compound comprising at least three epoxy-reactive groups. (Although, it should be noted that apolyfunctional epoxy compound having exactly two epoxy groups can also be cross-linked by a diamino compound having two primary amino groups, two secondary amino groups, or one primary amino group and one secondary amino group.) By contrast, where the polyfimchonal epoxy compound has three or more epoxy groups, said cross-linking step comprises the self-polymenzation of the polyfinctional epoxy compound and/or the bonding of the polyfinctional epoxy compound to a cross- linking compound comprising at least two epoxy-reactive groups.

The present invention is also directed to a method of producing the aboveescribed composite polyamide reverse osmosis membrane having a high fouling resistance coating.

The present invention is further directed to microfiltration membranes and ultrafiltration membranes that include the high fouling resistance coating of the present invention, as well as to a method of malting such coated membranes.

Additional objects, features, aspects and advantages ofthe present invention will be set forth, in part, in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description or may

be leaned by practice of the invention. Certain embodiments of the invention will be described hereafter in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it.S to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural or other changes may b without departing from the scope of the invention. The following detailed description is, therefore,

not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As noted above, the present invention is based ohthevnexpected discovery that the fouling resistance of a selective membrane, such as composite polyamide reverse osmosis membrane, a microfiltration membrane or an ultrafiltration membrane, can be significantly increased by treating said me:nbrane with a hydrophilic coating, said hydrophilic coating being made by (i) applying to the membrane a quantity of a polyfunctional epoxy compound, said polyfunctional epoxy compound comprising at least two epoxy groups, and (ii) then, cross-linking the polyfunctional epoxy compound in such a manner as to yield a water-insoluble polymer.; The composite polyamide reverse osmosis membrane to which the hydrophilic coating ofthe;:;; present invention is applied may be virtually any composite polyamide reverse osmosis membrane of the type comprising a porous support and a polyamide film disposed on said porous support.

The aforementioned porous support is typically a microporous support. The particular rnicroporous support employed is not critical to the present invention but is generally a polymeric material containing pore sizes which are of sufficient size to permit the passage of permeate therethrough but not large enough so as to interfere with the bridging over ofthe ultrathin membrane formed thereon. The pore size of the support will generally range from 1 to 500 nanometers inasmuch as pores which are larder in diameter than 500 nanometers will permit the ultrathin film to sag into the pores, thus disrupting the flat sheet configuration desired. Examples of microporous supports useful in the present invention include those made of a polysulfone, a polyether sulfone, a polyimide, a polyamide, a polyetherimide. polyacrvlonitrile. poly(methyl methacrvlate), polyethylene. polypropylene and various halogenated polymers. such as polvvinylidene fluoride.

I Additional microporous support materials may be found in the patents incorporated herein by reference. J,-1 tail The thickness of the microporous support is not critical to the present invention. Generally, the thickness of the rnicroporous support is about 95 to 15 1lm, preferably about 40 to 7S am.

The polyamide film of the present invention is typically the interracial reaction product of a polyfunctional amine reactant and a polyfunctional amine-reactive reactant. The polyfunctional amine reactant employed in the present invention is preferably an essentially monomeric amine having at least two amine functional groups, more preferably. 2 to 3 amine functional groups. The amine functional group is typically a primary or secondary amine functional group, preferably a prunary amine functional group. The particular polyamine employed in the present invention is not critical thereto md may be a single polyarnine or a combination thereof. Examples of suitable polyamines include aromatic primary diamines, such as meta-phenylenediamine and para-

phenylenediamine and substituted derivatives thereof, wherein the substituent includes, e.g., an alkyl group, such as a methyl group or an ethyl group, an alkoxy group, such as a methoxy group or an ethoxy group, a hydroxy alkyl group, a hydroxy group or a halogen atom. Additional examples of suitable polyamides include alkanediamines, such as l,propanediamine and its homologs with or without N-allcyl or aryl substituents, cycloaliphatic primary diamines, such as cyclohexane diamine, cycloaliphatic secondary diamines, such as piperazine and its alkyl dervadves, aromatic secondary amines, such as N,N -dimetyl-1,3phenylenediamine, N, -diphenylethylene diamine, benzidine, xvlylene diamine and derivatives thereof. Other suitable polvamines may be found in the patents incorporated herein by reference. The preferred polyarnines of the present invention are aromatic primary diamines. more preferably m-phenylenediarnine. and piperazlne. (A composite polyamide

reverse osmosis membrane made using piperazine as the polyfunctional amine reactant falls within asubclass of composite polyamide reverse osmosis me:nbranes known es nanofiltration membranes.

Nanofiltration membranes have larger "pores" than other composite polyamide reverse osmosis membranes and echibitalowrejectionrate of monovalent salts while exhibiting a high rejection rate of divalent salts and organic materials having a molecular weight greater than 300. Nanofiltration membranes are typically used to remove calcium and magnesium salts from water, i.e., to soften hard water, and to remove natural organic matter, such as humic acids from decaying plant leaves, from water. Hurnic acid is negatively charged at a pH above 6 and can be adsorbed on the membrane through hydrophobic interactions with the membrane surface.) The polyfunctional arrant reactant is typically present in an aqueous solution in an amount in the range offrom about 0.1 to 20%, preferably 0.5 to 8 'o, by weight, ofthe aqueous solution. The pH of the aqueous solution is in the range of from about 7 to 13. The pH can be adjusted by the addition of a basic acid acceptor in an amount ranging from about 0.001% to about 5%, by weight, of the solution. Examples of the aforementioned basic acid acceptor include hydroxides, carboxylates, carbonates, berates, phosphates of alkali metals, and tnalkylamines.

In addition to the aforementioned polyfunctional amine reactant (and, if desired, the aforementioned basic acid acceptor), the aqueous solution may further comprise additives ofthe type described in the patents incorporated herein by reference, such additives including, for example, polar solvents, amine salts and polynctional tertiary amines (either in the presence or absence of a strong acid).

The polyfinctional amine-reac.+ive reactant employed in the present invention is one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of a polyfiunc.ional acvl halide, a polyfimctional

sulfonyl halide and a polyfinctional isocyanate. Preferably, the polyfunctional amine-reactive reactant is an essentially monomeric, aromatic, polyctional acyl halide, examples of which include di- or tricarboxylic acid halides, such as trimesoyl chloride (T\IC), isophthaloyl chloride (IPC), terephthaloyl chloride (TPC) and mixtures thereof. Examples of other polyfunctional amine-

reactive reactants are disclosed in the patents incorporated herein by reference.

I he polyfimctional amine-reactive reactant is typically present in an organic solvent solution, the solvent for said organic solvent solution comprising any organic liquid immiscible with water.

The polyfimctional amine-reactive reactant is typically present in the organic liquid in an amount in the range of from about 0.005 to 5 wt % preferably 0.01 to 0.5 wt % of the solution. Examples of the aforementioned organic liquid include hectare, cyclohexane, heptane, alkalies having from 8 to 12 carbon atoms, and halogenated hydrocarbons, such as the FREON senes. Other examples ofthe above-descubed organic liquid may be found in the patents incorporated herein by reference.

Preferred organic solvents are alkanes having from 8 to 12 carbon atoms and mixtures thereof.

ISOPAR. solvent (Exxon Corp.) is such a mixture of alkanes having from 8 to 12 carbon atoms.

In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, an uncoated composite polyamide reverse osmosis membrane is made as follows: First, the above-described porous support is coated with the above-described aqueous solution utilizing either a hand coating or a continuous operation, and the excess solution is removed Dom the support by rolling, sponging, air knifing or other suitable techniques. Following this, the coated support material is then contacted, for example, by dipping or spraying, with the above-described organic solvent solution and allowed to remain in place for a period of time in the range of from about seconds to about 10 minutes. preferably about 20 seconds to minutes. The resulting product is then dried at a temperature below SAC. preferably

by air-drying at room temperature, for about 1 minute, then rinsed in a basic aqueous solution, such as 0.2% sodium carbonate, for about 1 to 30 minutes at,out room temperature to TIC, and then rinsed with deionized water.

With the above-described composite polyamide reverse osmosis membrane preferably still wet from having been rinsed with deionized water, the hydrophilic coating of the present invention is then formed on the membrane by (i) applying to the polyamide film of the membrane a quantity of a polyfunctional epoxy compound, said polyfunctional epoxy compound comprising at least nvo epoxy groups, and (ii) then, cross-linking the polyfunctional epoxy compound in such a manner as to yield a waterirsoluble polymer. Said cross-linking step is very important because the polyfunctional epoxy compound, in the absence of said cross-linking, is water-soluble and Will, therefore, be washed off the membrane surface during use.

Where the polyfunctional epoxy compound has exactly two epoxy groups, said cross-linking step comprises bonding the polyfunctional epoxy compound to a cross-linking compound having at least three epoxy-reactive groups. Such a cross-linking compound is necessary because the self-

polymerization of a polyfunctional epoxy compound having exactly two epoxy groups yields a linear ladder-type polymer that is soluble in water and, therefore, will not remain on the membrane during use. (Although, it should be noted that a polyfunctional epoxy compound having exactly two epoxy groups can also be cross-linked by a diamino compound having two primary amino groups, two secondary amino groups. or one primary amino group and one secondary amino group.) By contrast, where the polyfunctional epoxy compound has three or more epoxy groups. said crosslinking step comprises the self-polyme:ization of the polyfimc;ional epoxy compound and/or the bonding of the polyfunctional epoxy compound to a cross-linking compound having at least nvo epoxy-reactive

groups. In view of the above, it should be appreciated that a polyfunctional epoxy compound having exactly two epoxy groups can be polymerized with a polnctional epoxy compound having three of more epoxy groups.

Typically, said cross-linking step involves the opening of said epoxy groups by nucleophilic attack, with the oxygen atom of the epoxy ring used to form an ether or an alcohol. Said cross-

linking may be catalyzed by a base catalyst, by an acid catalyst or by heat. Exernples of said base catalyst include alkoxide salts, such as sodium ethoxide; hydroxide salts, such as sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide; carbonate salts, such as potassium carbonate; phosphate salts, such as trisodium phosphate; phenoxide salts, such as sodium phenoxide; borate salts, such as sodium borate; carboxylate salts, such as potassium acetate; ammonia; and primary, secondary and tertiary ammes. Said acid catalyst may be an inorganic acid, an organic acid, or a Lewis acid. More specifically, examples of said acid catalyst include sulfuric acid; hydrochloric acid; nitric acid; an aromatic sulfonic acid; an aliphatic sulfonic acid; a cycloaliphatic sulfonic acid; a carboxylic acid; a fluorinated carboxylic acid, such as trifluoroacetic acid; phenol and its derivatives; boric acid; tetrafluoroboric acid; aluminum Halide; an aluminum trialkoxide; a boron trihalide, such as a boron trifluoride; zinc tetrafluoroborate; a tin tetrahalide, such as tin tetrachloride; a quaternary ammonium salt; and an acid salt of ammonia or a primary, secondary or tertiary amine.

Catalysis by heat may, for example, comprise heating the coating at 10 C to 200 C, preferably 90 C to 150 C, for a hme period of about I second lo 7 days. pre.rablv about 5 seconds to 3 days.

1'

t Examples of polyfi:nctional epoxy compounds having exactly two epoxy groups for use in !' je' the present invention include ethyleneglycol diglycidyl:ther; propylene glycol diglycidyl ether; 1,3-

propanediol diglycidyl ether; 1,3-butanediol diglvcidyl ether; 1,4butanediol diglycidyl ether, 1,5-

pentanediol diglycidyl ether; I,'-pentanediol diglycidyl ether; 2, pentanediol diglycidyl ether; 1,6-

hexanediol diglycidyl ether, 1,2-hexanediol diglycidyl ether; 1,5hexanediol diglycidyl ether; 2,5-

hecanediol diglycidyl ether; 2-ethyl-1,3-he,xanediol diglycidyl ether, 1, 7-heptanediol diglycidyl ether; 1,2-octanediol diglycidyl ether; 1,8octanediol diglycidyl ether; 1,9-nonanediol diglycidyl ether; 1, 1Odecanediol diglycidyl ether, 1,2-decanediol diglycidyl ether; 1,12dodecanedioldiglycidylether, 1,Z-dodecanediol diglycidyl ether; glycerol diglycidyl ether; trimethylolpropane diglycidyl ethes; 1,1,1 tris(hydroxymethyl)ethane diglycidyl ether; pentaerythritol diglycidyl ether; sorbitol diglycidyl ether; neopentyl glycol diglycidyl ether; dibromoneopentyl glycol diglycidyl ether, hydroquinone diglycidyl ether; resorcinol diglycidyl ether; bisphenol A diglycidyl ether; hydrogenated bisphenol A diglycidyl ether, polyethylene glycol diglycidyl ether with the repeadng ethylene glycol ut (CH2CH2O)n wherein n is an integer ranging f om to 400, inclusive; and polypropylene glycol diglycidyl ether with the repeating propylene glycol unit ((CH3)CHCH2O)n wherein n is an integer ranging from 2 to 100, inclusive.

E=mples of polyfunctional epoxy compounds having exactly three epoxy groups for use in the present invention include glycerol mglycidyl ether, diglycerol triglycidyl ether, pentserythritol triglycidyl ether; sorbitol triglycidvl ether; glycerol propoxylate triglvcidvl ether, tnmethylolpropane i,lycidyl ether; 1,1,1-is(hydro.xvTnerhvl)ethane tri!ycidyl e-her; 1.1,1-tris{hydroxyphenyl)ethane triglycidyl ether; tris(hydroxvmethvl)nitromethane trilvcidyl ether; tris(2,3-

epo=;propvl)isocvanurare: phloroolucinol riglycidyl erhe: N.)T-diolvcidvl t-glvcidyloxyaniline; 1-

a reaction product of epichlorohydrin and 1,3,5,-tris(2-hydroxyethyl) cyanuric acid; and a reaction product of epichlorohydrin and tris(hydroxvmethyl)ao methane.

Examples of polyfinctional epoxy compounds having exactly four epoxy groups for use in the present invention include sorbitol tetraglycidyl ether; pentaerythritol tetraglycidyl ether; polyglycerol tetraglycidyl ether; and 4,4'-methylenebis(N,N-diglycidylaniline).

Examples of polyfunctional epoxy compounds having more than four epoxy groups for use in the present invention include sorbitol pentaglycidyl ether; sorbitol hexaglycidyl ether, polyglycerol polyglycidyl ether; epoxy cresol novolac resin; reaction products of polyvinyl alcohol and epichlorohydrin; reaction products of polyvinyl phenol and epichlorohydrin; reaction products of polyacrylamide and epichlorohydrin; and reaction products of epichlorohydrin and cellulose and its derivatives, such as hydroxyethyl cellulose and hydroxypropyl cellulose.

It should be noted that all of the polyfunctional epoxy compounds listed above are the reaction product of epichlorohydrn and a polyfunctional hydroxy, amino and/or amide compound, said reaction preferably being catalyzed with sodium hydroxide. Examples of such polyfunctional hydroxy, amino and/or amide compounds include ethylene glycol; propylene glycol; 1, 3-propanediol; 1,3-butanediol; 1,4-butanediol; 1,5-pentanediol; 1,2pentanediol; 2,pentanediol; 1,6-he:anediol, 1,2-hexanediol; 1,5he:<anediol; 2,5-hexanediol; 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol; 1,7-heptanediol; 1,2-

octanediol; 1,8 - ctanediol; 1,9-nonanediol; l,lO-decanediol; l 'decanediol; 1,12-dodecanediol; 1 7 dodecanediol; glycerol; trimethylolpropane; l, l.1 -tris(hydroxymethyl)ethane; is(hydroxyme'hyl) aminomethane; 1,3,5-tris(7-hydroxvethyl)cyanuric acid; pentaeryritol; sorbitol; neopentyl glycol dibromoneopentvl glycol: hydroquinone; resorcinol; bisphenol A; hydrogenated bisphenol A; isocvanuric acid: phloroglucinol; me.hylenebisaniline: novolac resin; polyvinyl alcohol;

polyvinyl phenol; polyacrylamide; celluose and its derivatives, such as hydroxyethyl cellulose and hydroxypropyl cellulose; chitosan; polyethylene glycdiwith the repeating ethylene glycol unit (CH2CH2O)n wherein n ranges from 2 to 400, inclusive; and polypropylene glycol with the repeating propylene glycol unit ((CH3)CH2CH,O)n wherein n ranges from to 100, inclusive.

In view of the above, it can readily be appreciated that the polyfunctional epoxy compound of the present invention could be formed in the aforementioned manner by first reacting epichlorohydrin and a polyfunctional compound of the type described above and then applying the resulting reaction product to the polyamide film of the membrane; alternatively, the polyfunctional epoxy compound could be formed in situ on the polyamide film ofthe membrane by applying thereto (in the presence of a suitable catalyst) the combination of epichlorohydrin and an appropriate polyfunctional reactant.

As noted above, where a cross-linking compound is used to cross-link polyfunctional epoxy compounds having three or more epoxy groups, said cross-linking compound must have two or more epoxy-reacve groups, and where a cross-linking compound is used to cross-link polyfunctional epoxy compounds having exactly two epoxy groups, said cross-linking compound must have three or more epoxy-reacdve groups. (Although as noted above, apolyfuncdonal epoxy compound having exactly two epoxy groups can also be cross-linked by a diamino compound having two primary amino groups, two secondary amino groups, or one primary amino group and one secondary amino group. This is because, the primary and secondary amino groups, after reacting with one epoxy group, become secondary and tertiary amino groups, respectively, which can still react with an additional epoxy group.) Examples of epoxy-reactive groups suitable for use in the cross- linking compounds of the present indention include hydroxy groups; amino groups including primary.

t secondary and tertiary arnines; carboxyl groups; carboxylic acid anhydr, de groups; amide groups; ! a,' carbonyl groups including aldehyde groups and urea groups; and sulfirhydrvl (thiol) groups. The two or more epcxyreactive groups of a cross-linking compound of the present invention may be the same type of epoxy-reactive group or may be a combination of different types of epoxy-reactive groups. Exernples of compounds that have exactly two epcxy-reactive groups, both of which are hydroxy groups, and are suitable for use in the present invention as cross-linking compounds include ethylene glycol;propyleneglycol; 1,3-propanediol; 1,3- butanediol; 1,4-butanediol; 1,5-pentanediol; 1,2-pentanediol; 2,4- pentanediol; 1,6-hexanediol; 1,2-hexanediol; 1,5-hexanediol; 2,5- hexanediol; 2-ethyl1,3-hexanediol; 1,7-heptanediol; 1,9-octanediol; 1,8- octanediol; 1,9-nonanediol; 1,10-

decanediol; 1,2-decanediol; 1,12-dodecanediol; 1,2-dodecanediol; neopentyl glycol; dibromoneopentyl glycol; hydroquinone, resorcinol; bisphenol A; hydrogenated bisphenol A; polyethylene glycol with the repeating ethylene glycol unit (CH,CH:O)n wherein n ranges flom 2 to 400, inclusive; and polypropylene glycol with the repeating ethylene glycol unit ((CH3)CH,CH2O)n wherein n ranges from to 100, inclusive.

Examples of compounds that have more than two epaxy-reactive groups, all of which are hydroxy groups, and are suitable for use in the present invention as cross-linking compounds include glycerol; trLmethylolpropane; 1,1,1-tris(lydroxymethyl)ethane; 1, 1,1-tris(hydroxyphenyl)ethane; tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane; tris(hydroxymethy 1) nitromethane; 1.3, 5-tris(2 -

hydroxvethyl)cyanuric acid; pentaervthritol; sorbitol: glucose: fructose: maltose mannose: glucosarrune; mannosarnine; a polsaccharide. such as suc. -ose: isocyanuric acid: phloroglucinol: methlenebisaniline: noolac resin: polyinyl alcohol: polvinvl phenol: polyacrvlarnide; and

cellulose and its derivatives, such as hydroxvethyl cellulose, hydro. 'cypropyl cellulose, ethylcelluose and methyl cellulose. >' Examples of compounds that have exactly two epcxy-reactive groups, both of which are amino groups (which may be primary, secondary and/or ternary amino groups) , and are suitable for use the present invention as cross-linking compounds (e.g., with polvfimctional epoxy compounds having three or more epoxy Soups) include alkanediamines and their alkyl or arvl derivatives on nitrogens and backbone carbons of the types shown below: H2N(ClI2)nNH, wherein n=2- 1; HzN(CH2CH2O)nCH2CH2NH2(n=1-4OO); ll,R2N(CH,)nNR3R' wherein n=2-12 and R., R., R3 and Rut are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, cyclohexyl and phenyl, examples of which include N,N,N',N'- tetramethylI,butanediamine; N,bT,N',N'-tetramethyl-1,6-

hexanediamine; N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl- 1,3-propanediamine; and N,N,N',N'-

tetramethylethylenediamine; R5 R5 H2N((H2)nNH2 and R,RN(6H,)nNR3R4 wherein n=2-12 and R., Red, R3, R4 and R5 are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl ethyl, propyl, butyl, cyclohexyl, hydroxyl and phenyl, examples of which include N,LT,N', N'-tetamethyl-1,3-

butanediamine; and,N,N',N'-tetrarnethyl- 1,3-diamino-2-propanol; Alicyclic diarnnes selected from the group consisting of diaminocvclohexane; 1,3 cvclohexanebistmethylamine); 4, I'- trimerhvlenedipipe..dine: piperne: I. 4-dimehylpiperamne; 1. 4-dinbicclo[. .]octne: 1. S-dibicyclo[5.l. 03undec- -ene: 1. -diazabicvclot4.3.O]non-5 ene; and

Aromatic diarnines, such as met-phenvlenediamine; and metaxylylenediamine; and bis(4-

aminophenyl)sulfone., > Other examples of suitable diamino compounds include N..N,N',N'-tetramethyl-2-butene- 1,4-

diamine, which is similar to the aforementioned,lN,",N'-tetramethyl- I,4butanediamine, except that it has one double bond in the baclchone.

Examples of compounds that have three or more epoxy-reactive groups, all of said three or more epoxy-reactive groups being amino groups (which may be primary, secondary, and/or tertiary amino groups), and are suitable for use in the present invention as cross-linking compounds include N,N'bis(2-arninoethyl)- 1,3-propanediamine, diethylenetriamine, triethylenetetranune; tris(2-

aminoethyl)amine; N,N,N',N',NU-pentamethyldierhylenetriamine; triaminobenzene; 1,1,3,3-

tetramethylguanidine; polyethylenimine; chitosan; poly(allylamine); and polyvinylpyridine.

Membrane coatings ofthe present invention that are prepared using crosslinking compounds containing amino groups may impart an overall positive charge to the membrane (depending upon the number of anuno groups actually incorporated into the coating). As a result, such coated membranes may possess good fouling resistance to positively charged solutes and, therefore, may be particularly well-suited for beating, for example, water contairg positively charged compounds with some hydrophobic character, such as cationic surfactants. By comparison, membrane coatings prepared with anionic cross-linking compounds having both hydroxy and acidic or anionic ups, such as tartaric acid. gluconic acid; glucuronic acid 3.5-dihydroxYbenzoic acid; 2,5-

dihydroxybenzenesulfonic acid potassium salt: and.5-dihvdroxy-1.benzenedisulfonic acid dipotassium salt, may impart an overall negative charge to the membrane. Consequently, such coated membranes may be part. icuiarlY weil-suited.tor treating. tor ecarnple, uiate- containing

i negatively charged solutes. On the other hand, membrane coatings prepared using cross-linking compounds containing neutral groups, such as hydroxy groups, amide groups and carbonyl groups, result in a more neutrally charged membrane. Consequently, such a coated membrane may be more universally applicable to treating water containing either positively charged or negatively charged matter. Lastly, a membrane coating having both negative and positive charges can be prepared using cross-linking compounds having zwitter ions. E.xarnples of such compounds include 3,5-

diaminobenzoic acid; 9-anunoethanesulforc acid (taurine); 2{[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]amino}-

1-ethanesulfonic acid; 3-{[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]amino3-1propanesulfonic acid; 2-hydroxy-3-

{[trisChydroxymethyl)methyl]arnino}-l-propanesulfonic acid; p-hydroxy - (hydroxyethyl)-l-

piperazinepropanesulfonic acid; 0,p'-dihydroxy-1,4piperazinebis(propanesulfonic acid); and 2,5-

diaminobenzenesulfonic acid. In any event, it can be seen from the above discussion that the charge of the membrane coating can be tailored to exhibit high resistance to fouling by variously charged or uncharged solutes.

Where the polyfunctional epoxy compound is first conned and then applied to the membrane, the polyfunctional epoxy compound is preferably applied to the membrane as part of a coating solution comprising the polyfunctional epoxy compound and a solvent of water and/or an alcohol.

In such a coating solution, the polyfimctional epoxy compound is typically present in an amount ranging from about 0.00001 wt % to 0 wt % of the solution, preferably about 0.0001 wt % to 5 wt % of the solution. (A cross-linker. if needed. is also preferably included in the coating solution.) lye coating solution is then sprayed. T-die coated. meniscus coated or cloth coated onto the top surface of the polyamide film of the membrane for a time period of about l second lo 10 minutes, preferably about seconds to minutes. where cross-linking is catalyzed by heat, the coated _O

membrane is then dried and cured at 10 C to 200aC, preferably 20 C to 150 C, for a time period of about 1 second to 7 days, preferably about seconds to 3"days.

As noted above, the hydrophilic coating of the present invention is not limited to use with composite polyamide reverse osmosis membranes but can also be applied directly to conventional microporous membranes, such as microfiltration membranes and ultrafiltration membranes, to help resist fouling thereof by proteins, macromolecules and colloids when such membranes are used in surface water treatment, protein separations, and food and beverage processing. A conventional microfiltration membrane is typically a microporous support of the type described above that has a pore size of about O. l ll- I Oll. A conventional ultrafiltration membrane is typically a microporous support of the type described above that has a pore size of about 0.001 1l-0.05ll.

The following examples are provided for illustrative purposes only and are in no way intended to limit the scope of the present invention: EXAhIPLE 1 A 140 Em thick micsoporous polysulfone support including the backing non-woven fabric was soaked in an aqueous solution containing wt % of mewphenylenediamine (MPD) and 0.3 wt % 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol for 40 seconds. The support was dmined and nip rolled to remove the excess aqueous solution. Then, the coated support was dipped in 0.1 wt % solution of trunesoyl chloride (ThIC) in Isoparr solvent (Exxon Corp.) for 1 minute followed by draining the excess organic solution off the support. The resulting composite membrane was ur-dried for about 1 minute then rinsed in 0.2 ,o Na.CO; aqueous solution for 30 minutes at room tenperamre. and then rinsed in deionized water.

al -

The resulting membrane was then sprayed on its top surface (i.e., onto the polyamide film) - do,...

with an aqueous solution contanung 0.1 let % sorbitol tetraglycidyl ether, 0.04 wt % N,N,N',N'-

tetramethyl-1,6-hexanediamine (TIvIHD), and 3 wt % glycerol (as a humectant) for 20 seconds and then drained to remove the excess aqueous solution. Lee membrane was then heated at 50 C for minutes followed by air drying for one day. The initial performance of the membrane was measured by passing an aqueous solution containing 2000 ppm of NaCl through the membrane in a crossflow mode at 225 psi and 25 C. The salt rejection was 99% and the flux was 29 aid. The fouling resistance ofthe membrane was then evaluated under the same conditions described above by farther adding 30 ppm dry milk to the feed water. (The protein of dry milk in an aqueous solution may exist as protein molecules and colloids, i.e., aggregates of protein molecules, and can be adsorbed to the membrane through hydrophobic interactions with the membrane surface.) After circulating the feed water through the membrane for 4 hours, the salt rejection was 99.4% and the flux was 17.6 gfd.

Table 1 presents the data described above, as well as the corresponding data obtained from an otherwise identical membrane to which no coating was added (comparative Example 1).

TABLE I

Membrane Ininal Salt Initial Flux Final FIUY in the Flux Decline Rejection (%) (odd) presence of dry (%) milk (god) Comparative 99 29 15. 7 46 Example 1

Example I 99 2^.; | 1/.4 o __

t As can be seen' the coated membrane (Example 1) exhibited a considerably smaller decrease ,1, I'

in flux than did the uncoated membrane (Comparative Example 1). This is advantageous because, as noted above, a consistency in flux over a long period of time is highly desirable since it obviates the need to continuously vary the operating pressure and to wash the membrane to remove fouling agents therefrom. It should also be recomputed that, whereas the final flux for the present example was measured only after four hours of use, such membranes are expected to be continuously used for considerably longer periods of time. Accordingly, the final flux values given above are much more representative of the flux properties of the membranes over their respective lifetimes of use than are the initial flux values.

It should also be noted that, when the coated membrane was washed following its four hour period of use, its flux substantially returned to its initial flux whereas the uncoated membrane, when washed following its four hour period of use, only approached about 80% of its initial flux.

EXAMPLE 2

The same procedure as set forth in Example 1 was carried out for Example 2, except that 0.05 wt % 2,5 dihydroxybenzenesulfonic acid potassium salt was used instead of I. The perfonnance of the resulting membrane, as well as an otherwise identical membrane to which no coating was added (Comparative Example 2) are shown in Table 2.

TABLE 2

Membrane Initial Salt Initial FILLY Final FLY in the FIUY Decline Rejection ( 'o) (co-ed) presence of dry (I) milk Aged) _

r | Comparative | 99 | 27.3 | o.5 | 17 6 l Example 2

Example 2 1 99. i 23. 1 20.9 | 9.9 As can be seen, the coated membrane exhibited a considerably smaller decrease in flux than did the uncoated membrane.

EXAMPLE 3

The same procedure as set forth in Example 1 was camed out for Example 3, except that 0.2 wt % glycerol triglycidyl ether and 0.04 wt % 2, 2'/ethylenedioxy)bis(ethylamlne) were used instead of sorbitol tetraglycidyl ether and 11HD, respectively. The performance ofthe resulting membrane, as well as an otherwise identical membrane to which no coating was added (Comparative Example 3) are shown in Table 3.

TABLE 3

Membrane Initial Salt Initial F1UY Final FITLY in the Flux Decline Rejection (%) (gfd) presence of dry (%) milk (god) Comparative 97 j 1. 7 ^5.S 46.8 Example 3

Example 3 97.7 39. 23.5 32.6 As can be seen. the coated membrane exhibited a conside:abiv smaile. decrease in flux than did the uncoated membrane.

t E\IPT E 4

The same procedure as set forth in Example 1 was earned out for Example 4, except that 0.25 vat % polyethyleneglycol diglycidyl ether and 0.025 wt % polyethylene imine were used instead of sorbitol tetraglycidyl ether and IIHD, respectively. The performance of Me resulting membrane, as well as an otherwise identical membrane to which no coating was added (Comparative Example 4) are shown in Table 4.

TABLE 4

Membrane Initial Salt Initial FI\LY Final F1UY in the FILLY Decline Rejection (%) (god) presence of dry (%) _ milk (god) Comparative 97 51. 7 25.8 46.8 Example 4

E.xarnple 4 97 31.7 23.6 22.6 As can be seen, the coated membrane exhibited a considerably smaller decrease in flux Man did the uncoated membrane.

EXAMPLE 5

The same procedure as set forth in Example 1 was carried out for Example 5, except that 1.1 wt % polyethyleneglycol diglvcidyl ether, 0.05 wt % trifluoroacetic acid and 3 wt % glycerol (as a cross-linking agent and also as a humectant) were used instead of sorbitol teaglycidvl ether and 1{HD. respectively. The performance of the resulting membrane, as well as an otherwise identical membrane to which no coating was added (Comparative Example) are shown in Table i.

i; _

TABLE 5

Membrane Initial Salt Initial F1UY final F1UY in the F1UY Decline Rejection (%) (god) presence of dry (%) milk (god) Comparative 97.2. 40. 9 29.8 25.5 Example 5

Example 5 98.3 21.7 21.5 4.4 As can be seen, We coated membrane exhibited a considerably smaller decrease in flux than did the uncoated membrane.

EXAMPLE 6

The same procedure as set forth in Example 1 was earned out for Example 6, except that 0. 15 wt % sorbitol tetraglycidyl ether, 0.06 wt %1lHD and 2 wt % glycerol were used instead of the corresponding quantities of each used in Example 1. In addition, 50 ppm dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB), a cationic surfactant, was used instead of dry mi}lc as the foulant. (DTAB can be adsorbed to the membrane by hydrophobic and/or ionic interactions with the membrane.) The performance ofthe resulting membrane, as well as an otherwise identical membrane to which no coating was added (Comparative Example 6) are shown in Table 6.

TABLE 6

Membrane Initial Salt Initial FILLY Final FIUY in the F1UY Decline Rejection (Jo) (gfd! presence of folio) DT.\B (gfd) _6

| Comparative | 97 |:. 98.5 | 48.3 l Example 6 _,

Example 6 97.6 1 o 6 27.9 1 17.1 As can be seen, the coated membrane exhibited a considerably smaller decrease in flux than did the uncoated membrane.

EXAMPLE 7

Ten water drops were placed on an uncoated membrane prepared in the manner described in Example 1, and the contact angle for each such water drop on the uncoated membrane was measured. Then, the coating described in Example I was applied to the membrane, and ten water drops were placed on the coated membrane, with the contact angle for each such water drop being measured. The average measured contact angles for the drops on the uncoated membrane and the coated membrane were 54.6 degrees and 48.8 degrees, respectively. These results indicate that the coated mesnbrane is more hydrophilic than the uncoated membrane since the coated membrane caused the water drops to spread more on the membrane whereas the uncoated membrane caused the water drops to bead on the membrane.

The embodiments ofthe present invention recited herein are intended to be merely exemplary and those skilled ire the art will be able to make numerous variations and modifications to it without departing from the spirit ofthe present invention. All such variations and modifications are intended to be within the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims appended hereto.

_

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A composite polyamide reverse osmosis membrane comprising: (a) a microporous support; (b) a polyamide layer on said microporous support; and (c) a hydrophilic coating on said polyamide layer, said hydrophilic coating being made by (i) applying to the polyamide layer a quantity of a polyfunctional epoxy compound, said polyfunctional epoxy compound comprising at least two epoxy groups, and (ii) then, cross-linking the polyfunctional epoxy compound in such a manner as to yield a waterinsoluble polymer.

2. The composite polyamide reverse osmosis membrane as claimed in claim 1 wherein said microporus support is made of a material selected from the group consisting of a polysulfone, a polyether sulfone, a polyimide, a polyamide, a polyetherimide, polyacrylonitrile, poly(methyl methacrylate), polyethylene, polypropylene and a halogenated polymer.

3. The composite polyamide reverse osmosis membrane as claimed in claim 1 wherein said polyamide layer is the interfacial reaction product of a polyfunctional amine and polyfunctional amine-reactive reactant.

4. The composite polyamide reverse osmosis membrane as claimed in claim 3 wherein said polyfunctional amine is at least one member selected form the group consisting of an aromatic primary diamine and substituted derivatives thereof, an alkane primary diamine, a cycloaliphatic primary diamine, a cycloaliphatic secondary diamine, an aromatic secondary diamine and a xylylene diamine.

5. The composite polyamide reverse osmosis membrane as claimed in claim 3 wherein said polyfunctional amine-reactive reactant is at least one member selected from the group consisting of a polyfunctional acyl halide, a - 28 -

polyfunctional sulfonyl halide and a polyfunctional isocyanate.

6. The composite polyamide reverse osmosis membrane as claimed in claim 1 wherein said polyfunctional epoxy compound comprises at least three epoxy groups.

7. The composite polyamide reverse osmosis membrance as claimed in claim 6 wherein said polyfunctional epoxy compound is at least one member selected from the group consisting of glycerol triglycidyl ether; diglycerol triglycidyl ether; pentaerythritol triglycidyl ether; sorbitol triglycidyl ether; glycerol propoxylate triglycidyl ether; trimethylolpropane triglycidyl ether; 1,1,1 -tris(hydroxymethyl)ethane triglycidyl ether; 1,1,1-tris (hydroxyphenyl) ethane triglycidyl ether; tris(hydroxymethyl)nitromethane triglycidyl ether; tris(2,3-epoxypropyl) isocyanurate; phloroglucinol triglycidyl ether; N,N-diglycidyl-4glycidyloxyaniline; a reaction product of epichlorohydrin and 1,3,5tris(2-hydroxyethyl)cyanuric acid; a reaction product of epichlorohydrin and tris(hydroxymethyl) amino methane; sorbitol tetraglycidyl ether; pentaerythritol tetraglycidyl ether; polyglycerol tetraglycidyl ether; and 4,4'-methylenebis(N,N-diglycidylaniline); sorbitol pentaglycidyl ether; sorbitol hexaglycidyl ether; polyglycerol polyglycidyl ether; epoxy cresol novolac resin; a reaction product of polyvinyl alcohol and epichlorohydrin; a reaction product of polyvinyl phenol and epichlorohydrin; a reaction product of polyacrylamide and epichlorohydrin; a reaction product of epichlorohydrin and cellulose;.and a reaction product of epichlorohydrin and a cellulose derivative.

8. The composite polyamide reverse osmosis membrane as claimed in claim 6 wherein said polyfunctional epoxy compound is cross-linked through selfpolymerization.

9. The composite polyamide reverse osmosis membrance as claimed in claim 1 wherein said polyfunctional epoxy compound is crosslinked with the help of a cross-linking compound.

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10. The composite polyamide reverse osmosis membrance as claimed in claim 9 wherein said cross-linking compound comprises at least two epo-reactive groups selected from the group consisting of hydroxy groups; amino groups; carboxyl groups; carboxylic acid anhydride groups; amide groups; carbonyl groups; and sulfurhydryl (thiol) groups.

11. The composite polyamide reverse osmosis membranes as claimed in claim 10 wherein said cross-linking compound is at least one member selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol; propylene glycol; 1,3propanediol; 1,3-butanediol; 1,4-butanediol; 1,5-pentanediol; 1,2pentanediol; 2,4-pentanediol; 1,6-hexanediol; 1,2-hexanediol; 1,5hexanediol; 2,5-hexanediol; 2-ethyl-1.3-hexanediol; 1,7-heptanediol; 1,2octanediol; 1,8-octanediol; 1,9-nonanediol; 1,10-decanediol; 1,2decanediol; 1,1 2-dodecanediol; 1,2-dodecanediol; glycerol; trimethylolpropane; 1,1,1-tris(hydroxymethyl)ethane; 1,1,1tris(hydroxyphenyl) ethane; tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane; tris(hydroxymethyl)nitromethane, 1,3,5-tris(2-hydroxyethyl)cyanuric acid; pentaerythritol; sorbitol; glucose; fructose; maltose; mannose; glucosamine; mannosamine; a polysaccharide; neopentyl glycol; dibromoneopentyl glycol; hydroquinone, resorcinol; bisphenol A; hydrogenated bisphenol A; isocyanuric acid; phloroglucinol; methylenebisaniline; novolac resin; polyvinyl alcohol; polyvinyl phenol; polyacrylamide; cellulose; ethyicellulose; methyl cellulose; hydroxypropyl cellulose; hydroxyethyl cellulose; polyethylene glycol with the repeating ethylene glycol unit (CH2CH20)n wherein n ranges from 2 to 400, inclusive; and polypropylene glycol with the repeating ethylene glycol unit ((CH3)CH2CH20)n wherein n ranges from 2 to 100, inclusive.

12. The composite polyamide reverse osmosis as claimed in claim 10 wherein said cross-linking compound is at least one member selected from the group consisting of alkanediamines and their alkyl or aryl derivatives on nitrogens and backbone carbons of the types shown below: H2N(CH2)nNH2 wherein n=2-12; H2N(CH2CH20)nCH2CH2NH2 wherein n=l-400; R'R2N(CH2)nNR3R4 wherein n=2-12 and R',R2,R3 and R4 are the same

or different and are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, cyclohexyl. and phenyl; R5 R5 1 1 H2N(CH2) nNH2 and R,R2N(CH2)nNR3R4 wherein n=1-12 and R,R2,R3,R4 and Rs are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methly, ethyl, propyl, butyl, cyclohexyl, hydroxyl and phenyl; Alicyclic diamines selected from group consisting of diaminocyclohexane; 1,3cyclohexanebis (methylamine); 4,4'-trimethylenedipiperidine; piperazine; 1,4-dimethylpiperazine; 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane; 1,8-diazabicyclo[5. 4.0]undec-

7-ene; 1,5-diazabicyclo[4,3.0]non-5-ene; and aromatic diamines selected from the group consisting of meta-phenylenediamine; meta-xylylenediamine; and bis(4-aminophenyl) sulfone.

13. The composite polyamide reverse osmosis membrane as claimed in claim 10 wherein said cross-linking compound is at least one member selected from the group consisting of N,N'-bis (2-aminoethyl)-1,3-propanediamine; diethylenetriamine; triethylenetetramine; tris (2-aminoethyl)amine; N. N, N', N', N"-pentamethyidiethylenetriamine; triaminobenzene; 1,1,3,3tetramethyiguanidine, polyethylenimine, chitosan; poly(allylamine); and polyvinylpyridine.

14. The composite polyamide reverse osmosis membrane as claimed in claim 10 wherein said cross-linking compound is at least one member selected from the group consisting of tartaric acid; gluconic acid;glucuronic acid; 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid; 2,5-dihydroxybenzenesulfonic acid potassium salt; and 2,dihydroxy-1,4-benzene disulfonic acid dipotassium salt; 3,5diarninobenzoic acid; 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid (taurine); 2{[tris(hydroxyrnethyl)methyl]amino}-

1-ethanesulfonic acid; 3-{[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]aminoFlpropanesulfonic acid; hydroxy-3[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]amino}1propanesulfonic acid; R-hydoxy-4 -(2-hydroxyethyi)-1piperazinepropanesulfonic acid; 8,Y'-ditydroxy-1,4-piperazinebis (propanesuffonic acid); and 2,5-diaminobenzenesulfonic acid.

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15. The composite polyamide reverse osmosis membrane as claimed in claim 1 wherein said polyfunctional epoxy compound is at least one member selected from the group consisting of ethyleneglycol diglycidyl ether; propylene glycol diglycidyl ether; 1,3-propanediol diglycidyl ether; 1,3- butanediol diglycidyl ether; 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether; 1,5- pentanediol diglycidyl ether; 1,2-pentanediol diglycidyl ether;2,4- pentanediol diglycidyl ether; 2,5-hexanediol diglycidyl ether; 2-ethyl-1, 3-hexanediol diglycidyl ether; 1,7-heptanediol diglycidyl ether; 1,2- octanediol diglycidyl ether; 1.8-octanediol diglycidyl ether; 1, nonanediol diglycidyl ether; 1,10-decanediol diglycidyl ether; 1,2- decanediol diglycidy ether; 1,12-dodecanediol diglycidyl ether; 1,2- dodecanediol diglycidyl ether; glycerol diglycidyl ether; trimethylolpropane diglycidyl ether; 1,1,1-tris(hydroxymethyl)ethane diglycidyl ether; pentaerythritol diglycidyl ether; sorbitol diglycidyl ether; neopentyl glycol diglycidyl ether; dibromoneopentyl glycol dig lycidyl ether; hyd roqui none di glycidyl ether; resorci nol diglycidyl ether; bisphenol A diglycidyl ether; hydrogenated bisphenol A diglycidyl ether; polyethylene glycol diglycidyl ether with the repeating ethylene glycol unit (CH2CH20)n wherein n is an integer ranging from 2 to 400, inclusive; and polypropylene glycol diglycidyl ether with the repeating propylene glycol unit((CH3)CHCHO)n whrein n is an integer ranging from 2 to 100, inclusive.

16. The composite polyamide reverse osmosis membrane as claimed in claim 1 wherein said polyfunctional epoxy compound is cross-linked using a cross-linking compound, said cross-linking compound having at least three epcxy-reactive groups.

17. The composite polyaimide reverse osmosis membrane as claimed in claim 16 wherein said at least three epoxy-reactive groups of said crosslinking compound are selected from the group consisting of hydroxy groups; amino groups; carboxyl groups; carboxylic acid anhydride groups; amide groups; carbonyl groups; and sulfurhydryi(thiol) groups.

18. The composite polyamide reverse osmosis membrane as claimed in claim 16 wherein said cross-linking compound is at least one member selected from the group consisting of N,N'-bis (2-aminoethyl)

1,3-propanediamine, diethylenetriamine, triethyleneteramine; tris (2aminoethyl) amine; N,N,N',N',N"-pentamethyidiethylenetriamine; triaminobenzene; 1,1,3,3-tertramethylquanidine; polyethylenimine; chitosan; poly (allylamine); and polyvinylpyridine; tartaric acid; gluconic acid; glucuronic acid; 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid; 2,5dihydroxybenzenesulfonic acid potassium salt; and 2,5-dibydroxy-1,4benzenedisulfonic acid dipotassium salt; glycerol; trimethylolpropane; 1, 1,1-tris (hydroxymethyl) ethane; 1,1,1-tris (hydroxyphenyl) ethane; tris (hydroxymethyl) aminomethane; tris (hydroxymethyl) nitromethane; 1,3,5tris (2-hydroxyethyl) cyanuric acid; pentaerythritol; sorbitol; glucose; fructose; maltose; mannose; glucosamine; mannosamine; a polysaccharide; isocyanuric acid; phloroglucinol; methylenebisaniline; novolac resin; polyvinyl alcohol; polyvinyl phenol; polyacrylamide; and cellulose and its derivatives.

19. The composite polyamide reverse osmosis membrane as claimed in claim 1 wherein said polyfunctional epoxy compound is cross-linked using a cross-linking compound, said cross-linking compound being a diamino compound having two primary amino groups, two secondary amino groups, or one primary amino group and one secondary among group.

20. A method of making a coated composite polyamide reverse osmosis membrane, said method comprising the steps: ta) coating a porous support with an aqueous solution, said aqueous solution comprising a polyfunctional amine, so as to form a liquid layer on said porous support; (b) contacting said liquid layer with an organic solvent solution, said organic solvent solution comprising an amine-reactiYe reactant selected from the group consisting of a polyfunctional acyl halide, a polyfunctional sulfonyl halide and a polyfunctional isocyanate, so as to interfacially condense said amine-reactive reactant with said polyfunctional amine, thereby forming a cross-linked, interfacial polyamide layer on said porous support; and (c) drying the product of step(b) to form a composite - 33 -

polyamide reverse osmosis membrane; (d) then, forming a hydrophilic coating on the cross-linked, interfacial polyamide layer of said composite polyamide reverse osmosis membrane by (i) applying to said cross-linked, interracial polyamide film a quantity of a polyfunctional epoxy compound, said polyfunctional epoxy compound comprising at least two epoxy groups, and (ii) then, cross-linking the polyfunctional epoxy compound in such a manner as to yield a water-insoluble polymer.

21. The method as claimed in claim 20 further comprising, between steps (c) and (d), the steps of rinsing the product of step(c) in a basic aqueous solution and then rinsing the thus rinsed product with deionized water.

22. The method as claimed in claim 20 wherein said step of applying said polyfunctional epoxy compound to said cross-linked, interfacial polyamide film comprises forming said polyfunctional epoxy compound and then treating the cross-linked, interfacial polyamide film with said polyfunctional epoxy compound.

23. The method as claimed in claim 20 wherein said polyfunctional epoxy compound is appliced to the cross-linked, interfacial polyamide film as part of a coating solution comprising (i) a solvent comprising at least one of water and an alcohol; and (ii) said polyfunctional epoxy compound in an amount ranging from about 0.00001 wt% to 20 wt% of the coating solution.

24. The method as claimed in claim 23 wherein said polyfuncitonal epoxy compound is present in said coating solution in an amount ranging from about 0.0001 wt% to 5 wt% of said coating solution.

25. The method as claimed in claim 20 wherein said step of applying said polyfunctional epoxy compound to said cross-linked, interfacial polyamide - 34 -

film comprises treating the cross-linked. interracial polyamide film with reactants for making said polyfunctional epoxy compound and then forming said polyfunctional epoxy compound in situ on said cross-linked, interfacaial polyamide film.

26. The method as claimed in claim 20 wherein said cross-linking of said polyfunctional epoxy compound is catalyzed by a catalyst selected from the group consisting of a base, an acid, and heat.

27. The method as claimed in claim 26 wherein said base is at least one member selected from the group consisting of an alkoxide salt; a hydroxide salt; a carbonate salt; a phosphate salt; a phenoxide salt; a borate salt; a carboxylate salt; ammonia; a primary amine; a seconday amine; and a tertiary amine.

28. The method as claimed in claim 26 wherein said acid is at least one member selected from the group consisting of sulfuric acid; hydrochloric acid; nitric acid; an aromatic sulfonic acid; an aliphatic sulfonic acid; a cycloaliphatic sulfonic acid; a carboxylic acid; a fluorinated carboxylic acid; phenol and its derivatives; boric acid; tetrafluoroboric acid; aluminum trihalide; an aluminum trialkoxide; a boron trihalide; zinc tetrafluoroborate; a tin tetrahalide; a quaternary ammonium salt; and an acid salt of ammonia or a primary, secondary or tertiary amine.

29. The method as claimed in claim 26 wherein said heat comprises heating at about 1 0 C to 200 C for a time period of about 1 second to 7 days.

30. The method as claimed in claim 20 wherein said cross-linking of said polyfunctional epoxy compound is catalyzed by heating at about 10 C to 150 C for a time period of about 1 second to 2 days in the presence of one of a base and an acid.

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31. A microporous membrane comprising: (a) a microporous support; and (b) a hydrophilic coating on said microporous support, said hydrophilic coating being made by (i) applying to the microporous support a quantity of a polyfunctional epoxy compound, said polyfunctional epoxy compound comprising at least two epoxy groups, and (ii) then, cross-linking the polyfunctional epoxy compound in such a manner as to yield a waterinsoluble polymer.

32. The microporous support as claimed in claim 31 wherein said microporous support is a microfiltration membrane.

33. The microporous support as claimed in claim 31 wherein said microporous support is an ultrafiltration membrane.

34. A method of making a coated microporous membrane, said method comprising the steps: (a) providing a microporous support; and (b) then, forming a hydrophilic coating on the microporous support by (i) applying to said microporous support a quantity of a polyfunctional epoxy compound, said polyfunctional epoxy compound comprising at least two epoxy groups, and (ii) then cross-linking the polyfunctional epoxy compound in such a manner as to yield a water-insoluble polymer.

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