Probing molecular interaction mechanisms of organic fouling on polyamide membrane using a surface forces apparatus: Implication for wastewater treatment.

Surface fouling is the dominant fouling mechanism of thin-film composite (TFC) membranes used in reverse osmosis (RO) technology. Understanding the complex interactions between foulant-membrane which drive the attachment and growth of foulants on membrane surface is of both fundamental and practical importance. This work aims to understand the molecular interaction mechanisms of organic fouling on RO-TFC membranes.