Recent Developments in the Rational Fabrication of Thin Film Nanocomposite Membranes for Water Purification and Desalination

Abstract

Efforts have been rendered by researchers to address water purification and desalination challenges through membrane separation processes. However, the trade-off phenomenon in permeability and selectivity constrained the membranes' usage. Recent advances made in fabricating membranes, especially thin film nanocomposite (TFN) membranes using functionalized nanofillers, have high performance in water purification and desalination. In this review, state-of-the-art thin film composite (TFC) membranes in water purification and desalination along with their drawbacks are discussed. The urgent demands as an alternative of TFC membranes are highlighted for high-performance membranes. Then, the fabrication and development of high permeability and selectivity of TFN membranes are discussed. Thin film nanocomposite membranes manufactured using rational nanofillers are systematically summarized. Finally, the applications of TFN membranes in water purification and desalination are reported.