Polydopamine/polyethyleneimine-decorated membranes were fabricated with excellent surface hydrophilicity and high water permeability for oil/water emulsion separation under atmospheric pressure.

Janus membranes are an emerging class of materials having opposing properties at an interface. This structure results in selective and often novel transport characteristics. In this Minireview, a definition of the Janus membrane, beyond merely asymmetric materials, is introduced and common fabrication strategies are outlined. Also presented are current and potential applications in directional transport, switchable permeation, and performance optimization with detailed mechanisms.

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Membranes are recognized as a key component in many environment and energy-related applications, but conventional membranes are challenged to satisfy the growing demand for ever more energy-efficient processes. Janus membranes, a novel class with asymmetric properties on each side, have recently emerged and represent enticing opportunities to address this challenge. With an inner driving force arising from their asymmetric configuration, Janus membranes are appealing for enhancing energy efficiency in a variety of membrane processes by promoting the desired transport. Here, the fundamental principles to prepare Janus membranes with asymmetric surface wettability and charges are summarized, and how they work in conventional and unconventional membrane processes is demonstrated.

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