Hydrophobic
membranes used in membrane distillation (MD) systems
are often subject to wetting during long-term operation. Thus, it
is of great importance to fully understand factors that influence
the wettability of hydrophobic membranes and their impact on the overall
separation efficiency that can be achieved in MD systems. This Critical
Review summarizes both fundamental and applied aspects of membrane
wetting with particular emphasis on interfacial interaction between
the membrane and solutes in the feed solution. First, the theoretical
background of surface wetting, including the relationship between
wettability and interfacial interaction, definition and measurement
of contact angle, surface tension, surface free energy, adhesion force,
and liquid entry pressure, is described. Second, the nature of wettability,
membrane wetting mechanisms, influence of membrane properties, feed
characteristics and operating conditions on membrane wetting, and
evolution of membrane wetting are reviewed in the context of an MD
process. Third, specific membrane features that increase resistance
to wetting (e.g., superhydrophobic, omniphobic, and Janus membranes)
are discussed briefly followed by the comparison of various cleaning
approaches to restore membrane hydrophobicity. Finally, challenges
with the prevention of membrane wetting are summarized, and future
work is proposed to improve the use of MD technology in a variety
of applications.