Past, Present and Future of Membrane Technology in Spain

Abstract

The following review aims at analyzing the contribution of Spanish researchers to membrane science and technology, with a historical compilation of the main milestones. We used a bibliometric analysis based on the Scopus database (1960–2020) dealing with 8707 documents covering the different disciplines and subject areas where membranes are involved. Furthermore, the information has been updated to the present moment of writing this manuscript in order to include the latest research lines and the different research groups currently active in Spain, which may lead the way to the development of the field in the coming years.

Applications of AFM in Membrane Characterization and Fouling Analysis

“…2 Pressure-driven membranes with different pore sizes, including MF membranes (0.1−10 μm), UF membranes (0.001−0.1 μm), NF membranes (0.001−0.01 μm), and RO membranes (<0.001 μm), have been widely used in the market since the end of the 20th century. 1,3 However, membrane fouling, an inevitable issue during membrane separation processes, 4−6 refers to the adsorption and deposition of suspended matter, colloidal particles, solute macromolecules, and microorganisms on the membrane surface or within membrane pores due to physicochemical interactions. This leads to irreversible changes in membrane pore size or blockage, resulting in decreased permeate flux and altered separation characteristics.…”

“…Pressure-driven membrane separation technologies, such as microfiltration (MF), ultrafiltration (UF), nanofiltration (NF), and reverse osmosis (RO), were considered as highly efficient water treatment processes playing crucial roles in urban water and wastewater treatments . Pressure-driven membranes with different pore sizes, including MF membranes (0.1–10 μm), UF membranes (0.001–0.1 μm), NF membranes (0.001–0.01 μm), and RO membranes (<0.001 μm), have been widely used in the market since the end of the 20th century. , …”

State of the Art Membrane Science and Technology in the Iberian Peninsula 2021–2022

“…Thus the review by Calvo et al [ 1 ] compiles the initial milestones of membrane research in Spain. It comments on the singularity of the first steps in membrane materials and mechanisms, by researchers from the field of Applied Physics and Irreversible Thermodynamics, mainly focused on ion separation processes.…”

“…Techniques such as XPS or SEM were used to characterise the samples and estimate the possible losses of ionic liquids and the surface modifications performed. This last paper is certainly more related to membrane characterization, a field in which Spanish researchers have traditionally been very active, as can be seen in the Membrane Groups directory included in the Spanish-side review [ 1 ]. In this area, Lima-Rodríguez et al [ 13 ] proposed a novel method for the non-destructive study of the mechanical properties of membranes.…”