Modification strategies of membranes with enhanced Anti-biofouling properties for wastewater Treatment: A review

This review addresses composite membranes used for wastewater treatment, focusing heavily on the antibiofouling properties of such membranes. Biofouling caused by the development of a thick biofilm on the membrane surface is a major issue that reduces water permeance and reduces its lifetime. Biofilm formation and adhesion are mitigated by modifying membranes with two-dimensional or zero-dimensional carbon-based nanomaterials or their modified substituents. In particular, nanomaterials based on graphene, including graphene oxide and carbon quantum dots, are mainly used as nanofillers in the membrane. Functionalization of the nanofillers with various organic ligands or compositing the nanofiller with other materials, such as silver nanoparticles, enhances the bactericidal ability of composite membranes. Moreover, such membrane modifications reduce biofilm adhesion while increasing water permeance and salt/dye rejection. This review discusses the recent literature on developing graphene oxide-based and carbon quantum dot-based composite membranes for biofouling-resistant wastewater treatment.

Automated summary

This review focuses on composite membranes used for wastewater treatment, specifically the antibiofouling properties of these membranes. The use of carbon-based nanomaterials, such as graphene and carbon quantum dots, as nanofillers in the membrane, along with functionalization or compositing with other materials, enhances the bactericidal ability of the membranes and reduces biofilm adhesion, while improving water permeance and salt/dye rejection.