Polymeric Materials and Microfabrication Techniques for Liquid Filtration Membranes

Abstract

This review surveys and summarizes the materials and methods used to make liquid filtration membranes. Examples of each method including phase inversion, electrospinning, interfacial polymerization, thin film composites, stretching, lithography and templating techniques, are given and the pros and cons of each method are discussed. Trends of recent literature are also discussed and their potential direction is deliberated. Furthermore, the polymeric materials used in the fabrication process of liquid filtration membranes are also reviewed and trends and similarities are shown and discussed. Thin film composites and selective filtration applications appear to be a growing area of research for membrane technology. Other than the required mechanical properties (tensile strength, toughness and chemical and thermal stability), it becomes apparent that polymer solubility and hydropathy are key factors in determining their applicability for use as a membrane material.

Fouling Mitigation by Surface‐Patterned Polymeric Membranes in Water Treatment: A Review of Recent Advancements in Fabrication Techniques

“…[48] According to the research, IL and phase inversions are often used to fabricate a well-defined pattern on the membrane surface. [49][50][51]…”

Facile Preparation of PVDF/CoFe2O4-ZnO Hybrid Membranes for Water Depollution

“…Research on recycling polluted water using polymeric membranes experienced an important development in recent years. The polymeric membranes represent an effective method to retain the pollutants through filtration (microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration), or reverse osmosis [9][10][11]. Despite the many advantages that the membranes possess, the major drawback is the accumulation of pollutant molecules on the membrane surface and pores exacerbated by the hydrophobic character of the surface causing reductions in separation efficiency and, consequently, the membrane lifetime [12].…”