Composite polyamide reverse osmosis membrane showing high boron rejection and method of producing the same

A composite polyamide reverse osmosis membrane. The membrane includes a microporous support and a polyamide layer disposed over the microporous support, the polyamide layer including iodine atoms covalently bonded thereto. The membrane is preferably prepared by a process that includes the steps of providing a microporous support, forming a polyamide layer over the microporous support, and treating the polyamide layer with an aqueous solution comprising a compound, the compound comprising at least one iodine atom. Examples of the compound comprising at least one iodine atom include molecular iodine, iodine monobromide, iodine monochloride and iodine trichloride. The iodine-containing compound may be added to an aqueous solution and dissolved therein or may be formed in situ in the aqueous solution, for example, by adding to the aqueous solution an iodide salt and an oxidizing agent.