Advanced Polymeric Nanocomposite Membranes for Water and Wastewater Treatment: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Nanomaterials have been extensively used in polymer nanocomposite membranes due to the inclusion of unique features that enhance water and wastewater treatment performance. Compared to the pristine membranes, the incorporation of nanomodifiers not only improves membrane performance (water permeability, salt rejection, contaminant removal, selectivity), but also the intrinsic properties (hydrophilicity, porosity, antifouling properties, antimicrobial properties, mechanical, thermal, and chemical stability) of these membranes. This review focuses on applications of different types of nanomaterials: zero-dimensional (metal/metal oxide nanoparticles), one-dimensional (carbon nanotubes), two-dimensional (graphene and associated structures), and three-dimensional (zeolites and associated frameworks) nanomaterials combined with polymers towards novel polymeric nanocomposites for water and wastewater treatment applications. This review will show that combinations of nanomaterials and polymers impart enhanced features into the pristine membrane; however, the underlying issues associated with the modification processes and environmental impact of these membranes are less obvious. This review also highlights the utility of computational methods toward understanding the structural and functional properties of the membranes. Here, we highlight the fabrication methods, advantages, challenges, environmental impact, and future scope of these advanced polymeric nanocomposite membrane based systems for water and wastewater treatment applications.

Development of nanocomposite membranes for removal of pharmaceutically active compounds in water: A review

“…Graphene can be oxidized to form GO or reduced graphene oxide (rGO). The hydrophobicity and monoatomic thickness of graphene presents it as material for membrane separation [199] ; however, it exhibits a restricted permeability due to the ππ conjugation in its aromatic ring [111] . Fortunately, the restricted permeability may be circumvented by enlarging its interlayer distance through intercalation [200,201] , which may include processes like oxidation, exfoliation, and reduction to produce GO and rGO.…”

Current Status and Advancement of Nanomaterials within Polymeric Membranes for Water Purification

“…Schematic depiction of a phase inversion technique (specifically, nonsolvent-induced phase separation). Adapted and adjusted from ref , an open-access journal article. Copyright 2023 by the authors.…”

Surface Modification of NiO‐Al2O3 Nanocomposites using Stearic Acid as a Modifier and their Applications in Self‐cleaning and Removal of Dyes

“…The conventional method to modify the surface of metal oxide nanocomposites is to attach different organic functional groups on their surface [25] . The introduction of specific functional groups on the surface of nanocomposites make their surface hydrophobic [26] . Surface modification can be of two types: physical modification and chemical modification [27] .…”

“…[25] The introduction of specific functional groups on the surface of nanocomposites make their surface hydrophobic. [26] Surface modification can be of two types: physical modification and chemical modification. [27] In physical modification, surfactants or macromolecules are physisorbed on the surface of metal oxide nanocomposites.…”