Removal of emerging organic micropollutants via modified-reverse osmosis/nanofiltration membranes: A review

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) 2022-10, Vol.305, p.135151-135151, Article 135151
• Main Authors: Khoo, Ying Siew, Goh, Pei Sean, Lau, Woei Jye, Ismail, Ahmad Fauzi, Abdullah, Mohd Sohaimi, Mohd Ghazali, Nor Hisham, Yahaya, Nasehir Khan E.M., Hashim, Norbaya, Othman, Ahmad Rozian, Mohammed, Alias, Kerisnan, Nirmala Devi A/P., Mohamed Yusoff, Muhammad Azroie, Fazlin Hashim, Noor Haza, Karim, Jamilah, Abdullah, Nor salmi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: adsorption; biodegradation; cost effectiveness; electrostatic interactions; films (materials); nanocomposites; nanofiltration; Organic micropollutants; oxidation; pollutants; reverse osmosis; Surface modification; Thin film composite membranes; Thin film nanocomposite membrane; Water & wastewater treatment; water treatment
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.135151

Hazardous micropollutants (MPs) such as pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs), pesticides and personal care products (PCPs) have emerged as a critical concern nowadays for acquiring clean and safe water resources. In the last few decades, innumerable water treatment methods involving biodegradation, adsorption and advanced oxidation process have been utilized for the removal of MPs. Of these methods, membrane technology has proven to be a promising technique for the removal of MPs due to its sustainability, high efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Herein, the aim of this article is to provide a comprehensive review regarding the MPs rejection mechanisms of reverse osmosis (RO) and nanofiltration (NF) membranes after incorporation of nanomaterials and also surface modification atop the PA layer. Size exclusion, adsorption and electrostatic charge interaction mechanisms play important roles in governing the MP removal rate. In addition, this review also discusses the state-of-the-art research on the surface modification of thin film composite (TFC) membrane and nanomaterials-incorporated thin film nanocomposite (TFN) membrane in enhancing MPs removal performance. It is hoped that this review can provide insights in modifying the physicochemical properties of NF and RO membranes to achieve better performance in water treatment process, particularly for the removal of emerging hazardous substances. Schematic illustration of surface-modified TFC membrane and nanomaterials-incorporated TFN membrane against MPs compounds. [Display omitted] •Occurrence, risks and type of emerging micropollutants (MPs) have been identified.•Removal of emerging MPs via RO and NF membranes have been summarized.•TFN and surface-modified TFC membranes showed remarkable MPs removal rate.•The MPs rejection mechanisms of polyamide RO/NF membranes were elucidated.