Water purification by membranes: The role of polymer science

TLDR

Water purification faces global challenges of providing sustainable, affordable clean water and energy, and membrane technology is expected to dominate due to its energy efficiency and the fundamental issues that require deeper understanding. The article aims to review the global water problem and state‑of‑the‑art membrane technology, highlighting the need for improved membranes with higher flux, selectivity, fouling resistance, and chlorine tolerance. The authors review existing membrane deficiencies and identify opportunities to address them through innovative polymer chemistry and physics. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2010.

Abstract

Abstract Two of the greatest challenges facing the 21st century involve providing sustainable supplies of clean water and energy, two highly interrelated resources, at affordable costs. Membrane technology is expected to continue to dominate the water purification technologies owing to its energy efficiency. However, there is a need for improved membranes that have higher flux, are more selective, are less prone to various types of fouling, and are more resistant to the chemical environment, especially chlorine, of these processes. This article summarizes the nature of the global water problem and reviews the state of the art of membrane technology. Existing deficiencies of current membranes and the opportunities to resolve them with innovative polymer chemistry and physics are identified. Extensive background is provided to help the reader understand the fundamental issues involved. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2010