Functional materials in desalination: A review

Abstract

This paper reviews various functional materials used in desalination. Desalination of the abundant seawater resource has emerged as a promising technology to meet the current fresh water demands. For improved performance, often functional materials such as photocatalysts, electrocatalysts, photothermal materials, sorbents, antibacterial materials and magnetic materials are utilized in thermal, membranebased and other desalination technologies. With an aim to provide an insight on the existing research on functional materials and the purpose behind using such in desalination, this review collates different research studies of various functional properties and the subsequent materials utilized for those properties. New generation materials such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene form a major part, where they exhibit multiple functionalities with improved water transport properties, and thus have been deemed as very attractive enhancers to the desalination technology. Nevertheless, most of the functional materials, such as nano-TiO2, nano-zeolites, graphene, CNTs and magnetic nanoparticles suffer from several limitations such as specialized synthesis techniques, agglomeration, leaching and environmental and health concerns. This review focuses on such challenges and suggests improvements for enhanced incorporation of these in the desalination technology. Lastly, emerging new technologies, advanced fabrication methods and novel functional hybrid materials are reviewed to equip the readers with the latest research trends. Thus, a comprehensive review is essential which will provide current and future researchers an insight on the importance and significance of utilizing functional materials in various desalination technologies.

Microfiltration membrane processes: A review of research trends over the past decade

“…Several functional materials may be incorporated in the existing MF membranes for achieving multiple functionalities [74]. For example, the polymeric membrane can be incorporated with various catalytic materials such titania (TiO2) or zeolite particles for bacterial degradation and improved hydrophilicity.…”

Improvement of filtration performance of polyvinyl chloride/cellulose acetate blend membrane via acid hydrolysis

“…The further development of PVC membrane in the field of ultrafiltration and microfiltration is limited by the problems of spontaneous wrinkling of PVC membrane, poor hydrophilicity, easy pollution, and low flux. Hydrophilic modification is an effective means to improve the flux, hydrophilicity, antipollution, and rejection rate of PVC membrane, and is also the focus of current application research 4–6 . The hydrophilic modification of PVC membrane mainly focuses on surface modification and blending modification 7 .…”

“…Hydrophilic modification is an effective means to improve the flux, hydrophilicity, antipollution, and rejection rate of PVC membrane, and is also the focus of current application research. [4][5][6] The hydrophilic modification of PVC membrane mainly focuses on surface modification and blending modification. 7 The common surface modification methods include surface chemical treatment, plasma treatment, UV radiation, high-energy radiation, and so forth.…”

Laboratory X-ray Diffraction Complex for In Situ Investigations of Structural Phase Evolution of Materials under Gaseous Atmosphere

“…), high mechanical loads, high pressure, etc. [1][2][3][4][5]. Modern physical and chemical methods are usually used to assess the operational properties of materials used in aggressive environments.…”