Recent Progress on Nanomaterial-Based Membranes for Water Treatment

Abstract

Nanomaterials have emerged as the new future generation materials for high-performance water treatment membranes with potential for solving the worldwide water pollution issue. The incorporation of nanomaterials in membranes increases water permeability, mechanical strength, separation efficiency, and reduces fouling of the membrane. Thus, the nanomaterials pave a new pathway for ultra-fast and extremely selective water purification membranes. Membrane enhancements after the inclusion of many nanomaterials, including nanoparticles (NPs), two-dimensional (2-D) layer materials, nanofibers, nanosheets, and other nanocomposite structural materials, are discussed in this review. Furthermore, the applications of these membranes with nanomaterials in water treatment applications, that are vast in number, are highlighted. The goal is to demonstrate the significance of nanomaterials in the membrane industry for water treatment applications. It was found that nanomaterials and nanotechnology offer great potential for the advancement of sustainable water and wastewater treatment.

Effect of TiO2 Nanoparticles on Capillary-Driven Flow in Water Nanofilters Based on Chitosan Cellulose and Polyvinylidene Fluoride Nanocomposites: A Theoretical Study

“…Whereas, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) was chosen as synthetic polymer. These polymers have facilitated a great interest in drinking water and wastewater treatment using many processes, such as adsorption, NF, and reverse osmosis [ 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 ]. Their main advantageous properties are abundance, chemical stability in aqueous medium, mechanical strength, and cost-effectiveness [ 53 , 54 , 55 ].…”

“…Actually, an emerging trend is underway to develop novel synthetic and biodegradable nanocomposite polymers for use in the NF process [ 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ]. They suggest the incorporation of NPs-based metal oxides materials for increasing water permeability, mechanical strength, separation efficiency, and reducing fouling of the membrane [ 27 , 28 , 29 ].…”

Removal of Contaminants from Water by Membrane Filtration: A Review

“…[14]. Therefore, the interest of the academic community in developing these type of membranes is evidenced by the number of scientific publications in the last 10 years (about 53,500 publications between 2010 and 2021) [15].…”

Clay-Supported Metal Oxide Nanoparticles in Catalytic Advanced Oxidation Processes: A Review

“…In vitro and in vivo studies indicate that reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced by the exposure of nanoparticles, which is a predominant mechanism leading to toxicity. Immobilization and metal oxide nanoparticle catalyst supports are approaches for suppressing these drawbacks [ 17 , 18 ]. Solid supports play important roles in supporting metal oxide nanoparticles, by positioning themselves as ligands and protectors for reactive and uncontrolled conditions; these can contribute to providing an active surface site which contribute directly to the reactivity.…”