Polymeric Composite Membranes Enabled by Carbon Nanotubes and Graphene for Water Purification

Abstract

A membrane is a functional material that acts essentially as a barrier to certain species of ions, molecules, and particles but remains permeable to the rest of the species in a multicomponent system. Composite membranes can provide increased selectivity, separation efficiency, and improved properties (e.g. mechanical and thermal resistance) by using specific fillers. Among various fillers, carbon nanotubes (CNT) and graphene occupy a special place due to their remarkable properties, such as high mechanical and thermal resistance as well as high adsorption capacity at the surface. This article overviews synthesis, characterization, and performance of composite polymer membranes with CNT and graphite for water purification of any kind of pollutants – from dyes to heavy metals.

Porous Al2O3-CNT Nanocomposite Membrane Produced by Spark Plasma Sintering with Tailored Microstructure and Properties for Water Treatment

“…In addition, incorporating nanomaterials into the membrane, improves its permeability, thermal stability, fouling resistance, and mechanical properties, as well as providing new functions like self-cleaning and contaminant degradation [ 2 ]. One example of such a nanomaterial additive is carbon nanotubes (CNT), which have been found to be attractive for heavy metal ions removal [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ] and water purification applications [ 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 ] due to their unique properties, including enhanced permeability, contaminant rejection, disinfection, and antifouling behavior. Thus, the incorporation of CNT to the alumina membrane should improve its heavy metals absorption capacity.…”