Thin film composite membranes were prepared by using1,3 - phenylene diamine in the gelation bath as well as in coating conditions. The cross - sectional view of the membranes shows different patterns for membranes prepared in a water - bath (Mem - I) and a diamine - containing water bath (Mem - II). The thin film composite membranes prepared using a diamine bath and coating (Mem - III) had improved salt rejecting ability but low volume flux. The performances of the salt rejection follows the order Na2SO4 > NaCl > MgSO4> MgCl2, as expected. The salt separation performances of the membranes made with higher concentration of 1,3 phenylene diamine follow the order Mem - IIIb > Mem - I > Mem - IIb. For membranes made with low concentration of 1,3 - phenylene diamine, the salt separation follows the same trend, (Mem - IIIa > Mem - IIa).
Membrane; Thin film composite; 1,3-phenylene diamine; Gelation bath
