Membrane which permeates solvent (water) but does not permeate solute (salt). In desalination, pressure up to 10MPa is applied to seawater which enables water to pass through the revere osmosis membrane, while the salt is excluded.
Currently, two types of material are used: bridged aromatic polyamides, and cellulose acetate. Membranes must withstand high pressure and also be resistant to fouling.