Nondestructive In Operando Imaging of Thin Film Composite Membrane Compaction Enhanced by AI-Based Segmentation

Wu, Jishan [Rice University]; Suleiman, Yara [University of Connecticut]; He, Jinlong [Sichuan University]; Xiao, Minhao [University of California Los Angeles]; Mahyari, Parisa [University of Connecticut]; Li, Mingzhe [Rice University]; Zhou, Lin [Rice University]; Chen, Yuanmiaoliang [Rice University]; Fan, Hanqing [Rice University]; Sreejith, N. A. [National Renewable Energy Lab., Golden, CO (United States)]; Sitaraman, Hariswaran [National Renewable Energy Lab., Golden, CO (United States)]; Day, Marc [National Renewable Energy Lab., Golden, CO (United States)] (ORCID:0000000217113963); Li, Ying [University of Wisconsin-Madison]; McCutcheon, Jeffrey [University of Connecticut]; Elimelech, Menachem [Rice University]; Shahbazmohamadi, Sina [University of Connecticut]; Hoek, Eric [Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory; University of California Los Angeles]

doi:10.1021/acs.estlett.5c00529

DOE OSTI · 2586754

Nondestructive In Operando Imaging of Thin Film Composite Membrane Compaction Enhanced by AI-Based Segmentation

Wu, Jishan [Rice University]·Suleiman, Yara [University of Connecticut]·He, Jinlong [Sichuan University]·Xiao, Minhao [University of California Los Angeles]·Mahyari, Parisa [University of Connecticut]·Li, Mingzhe [Rice University]·Zhou, Lin [Rice University]·Chen, Yuanmiaoliang [Rice University]·Fan, Hanqing [Rice University]·Sreejith, N. A. [National Renewable Energy Lab., Golden, CO (United States)]·Sitaraman, Hariswaran [National Renewable Energy Lab., Golden, CO (United States)]·Day, Marc [National Renewable Energy Lab., Golden, CO (United States)] (ORCID:0000000217113963)·Li, Ying [University of Wisconsin-Madison]·McCutcheon, Jeffrey [University of Connecticut]·Elimelech, Menachem [Rice University]·Shahbazmohamadi, Sina [University of Connecticut]·Hoek, Eric [Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory; University of California Los Angeles]

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Abstract

Reverse osmosis (RO) membranes are essential for desalination and water reuse, yet their permeability declines in high-pressure applications due to membrane compaction. This study investigates the structural and functional responses of commercial brackish, seawater, and high-pressure RO membranes at applied pressures up to 120 bar using a multiscale, nondestructive in operando scanning electron microscopy (iSEM) imaging platform. The iSEM technique reveals progressive densification across the composite membrane structure, which correlates with observed declines in water and solute permeance. To quantify these structural changes with greater fidelity, we combined X-ray computed tomography with AI-based segmentation enabling precise analysis of pore size distribution and thickness of the polysulfone support layer. Compared to traditional thresholding, AI segmentation accurately delineates material phases and void spaces, enhancing the reproducibility and resolution of morphological assessments. The results demonstrate that compaction-induced reductions in porosity and thickness strongly impact membrane transport properties. These findings provide mechanistic insights into the compaction behavior of RO membranes and underscore the potential for advanced imaging and AI-driven data analysis to guide the design of next-generation membranes with improved mechanical resilience and operational longevity.

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Wu, Jishan [Rice University], Suleiman, Yara [University of Connecticut], He, Jinlong [Sichuan University], Xiao, Minhao [University of California Los Angeles], Mahyari, Parisa [University of Connecticut], Li, Mingzhe [Rice University], Zhou, Lin [Rice University], Chen, Yuanmiaoliang [Rice University], Fan, Hanqing [Rice University], Sreejith, N. A. [National Renewable Energy Lab., Golden, CO (United States)], Sitaraman, Hariswaran [National Renewable Energy Lab., Golden, CO (United States)], Day, Marc [National Renewable Energy Lab., Golden, CO (United States)] (ORCID:0000000217113963), Li, Ying [University of Wisconsin-Madison], McCutcheon, Jeffrey [University of Connecticut], Elimelech, Menachem [Rice University], Shahbazmohamadi, Sina [University of Connecticut], Hoek, Eric [Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory; University of California Los Angeles]. 2025-07-22. Nondestructive In Operando Imaging of Thin Film Composite Membrane Compaction Enhanced by AI-Based Segmentation. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.estlett.5c00529

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