Carbon nanomaterials and their impact on membrane separation applications

Abstract

Carbon nanomaterials (e.g. carbon nanotubes, graphene, fullerenes, etc.) have captured the attention of researchers for the past several decades. Given their unique structure and properties, these nanomaterials have been shown to have high versatility in a variety of applications. In recent years many of these nanomaterials have been investigated for separation applications. One specific application where carbon nanomaterials have elicited a high level of interest is their use in membrane technology. Given the desire to develop new technologies for separation applications, such as water purification, advances in membrane technology are a high priority. This perspective focuses on carbon nanomaterials in membrane separations from bench to scale up as well as economic and environmental implications for a variety of applications.