Issue 53, 2022

Recent advances in thin film nanocomposite membranes containing an interlayer (TFNi): fabrication, applications, characterization and perspectives

Abstract

Polyamide (PA) reverse osmosis and nanofiltration membranes have been applied widely for desalination and wastewater reuse in the last 5–10 years. A novel thin-film nanocomposite (TFN) membrane featuring a nanomaterial interlayer (TFNi) has emerged in recent years and attracted the attention of researchers. The novel TFNi membranes are prepared from different nanomaterials and with different loading methods. The choices of intercalated nanomaterials, substrate layers and loading methods are based on the object to be treated. The introduction of nanostructured interlayers improves the formation of the PA separation layer and provides ultrafast water molecule transport channels. In this manner, the TFNi membrane mitigates the trade-off between permeability and selectivity reported for polyamide composite membranes. In addition, TFNi membranes enhance the removal of metal ions and organics and the recovery of organic solvents during nanofiltration and reverse osmosis, which is critical for environmental ecology and industrial applications. This review provides statistics and analyzes the developments in TFNi membranes over the last 5–10 years. The latest research results are reviewed, including the selection of the substrate and interlayer materials, preparation methods, specific application areas and more advanced characterization methods. Mechanistic aspects are analyzed to encourage future research, and potential mechanisms for industrialization are discussed.

Graphical abstract: Recent advances in thin film nanocomposite membranes containing an interlayer (TFNi): fabrication, applications, characterization and perspectives

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
07 10 2022
Accepted
23 11 2022
First published
29 11 2022
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

RSC Adv., 2022,12, 34245-34267

Recent advances in thin film nanocomposite membranes containing an interlayer (TFNi): fabrication, applications, characterization and perspectives

J. Wang, L. Wang, M. He, X. Wang, Y. Lv, D. Huang, J. Wang, R. Miao, L. Nie, J. Hao and J. Wang, RSC Adv., 2022, 12, 34245 DOI: 10.1039/D2RA06304B

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence. You can use material from this article in other publications without requesting further permissions from the RSC, provided that the correct acknowledgement is given.

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