Recent advances in membrane-enabled water desalination by 2D frameworks: Graphene and beyond

• Published in: Desalination 2022-06, Vol.531, p.115684, Article 115684
• Main Authors: Raza, Ali, Hassan, Jahan Zeb, Mahmood, Asif, Nabgan, Walid, Ikram, Muhammad
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: COF; Hybrid membranes; Membrane fabrication; Membrane-based separation techniques; MOF; MXenes; TMDCs; Two-dimensional material
• ISSN: 0011-9164; 1873-4464
• DOI: 10.1016/j.desal.2022.115684

The growing population rate and expansion of industrial sector are associated with climate variation, which steered towards global water complications. The current review summarizes the next-generation hybrid graphene-based membrane materials for water cleansing to come across global freshwater supplies. In this regard, graphene-based membrane materials are assumed as innovative materials headed for desalination route owing to their tunable functionalities as well as atomic thickness. The discussion of operating conditions and production procedures of membrane on membrane fouling and separation mechanisms are described. Furthermore, its development merits, and limitations compared to traditional polymeric membranes are also discussed. This review discusses the use of 2D materials as building blocks for membrane structures, current developments in 2D-enabled membranes, and their prospects. More devotion is required for membrane selectivity and water permeability for long-term setup at environments alike with the field for performance examination; this helps to prolong applications of graphene-based membranes materials. In this regard, we summarized the research growth on 2D materials for membrane-based water desalination for more attention. Moreover, the design strategies containing layer-layer spacing and pore size optimization to sustain the constancy of the membranes are predominantly explained. Finally, present tasks and future research directions are also offered. •This review examines new 2D materials for water purifying materials.•Graphene, TMDCs, MXenes, Metal, and COFs used in membrane technology•A comparative and mechanistic approach of water purification with 2D materials is integrated.•This review connects membrane formation, performance, and stability.•Current problems and prospective modifications in 2D materials for separation technology are discussed.