Versatile Silver-Nanoparticle-Impregnated Membranes for Water Treatment: A Review
Increased affordability, smaller footprint, and high permeability quality that meets stringent water quality standards have accelerated the uptake of membranes in water treatment. Moreover, low pressure, gravity-based microfiltration (MF) and ultrafiltration (UF) membranes eliminate the use of elect...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-04-01
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| Series: | Membranes |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/13/4/432 |
| _version_ | 1797604352077070336 |
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| author | Achisa C. Mecha Martha N. Chollom Bakare F. Babatunde Emmanuel K. Tetteh Sudesh Rathilal |
| author_facet | Achisa C. Mecha Martha N. Chollom Bakare F. Babatunde Emmanuel K. Tetteh Sudesh Rathilal |
| author_sort | Achisa C. Mecha |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Increased affordability, smaller footprint, and high permeability quality that meets stringent water quality standards have accelerated the uptake of membranes in water treatment. Moreover, low pressure, gravity-based microfiltration (MF) and ultrafiltration (UF) membranes eliminate the use of electricity and pumps. However, MF and UF processes remove contaminants by size exclusion, based on membrane pore size. This limits their application in the removal of smaller matter or even harmful microorganisms. There is a need to enhance the membrane properties to meet needs such as adequate disinfection, flux amelioration, and reduced membrane fouling. To achieve these, the incorporation of nanoparticles with unique properties in membranes has potential. Herein, we review recent developments in the impregnation of polymeric and ceramic microfiltration and ultrafiltration membranes with silver nanoparticles that are applied in water treatment. We critically evaluated the potential of these membranes in enhanced antifouling, increased permeability quality and flux compared to uncoated membranes. Despite the intensive research in this area, most studies have been performed at laboratory scale for short periods of time. There is a need for studies that assess the long-term stability of the nanoparticles and the impact on disinfection and antifouling performance. These challenges are addressed in this study and future directions. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T04:45:16Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-008ee0127df74d30a27d1497752c12d0 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2077-0375 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T04:45:16Z |
| publishDate | 2023-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Membranes |
| spelling | doaj.art-008ee0127df74d30a27d1497752c12d02023-11-17T20:23:31ZengMDPI AGMembranes2077-03752023-04-0113443210.3390/membranes13040432Versatile Silver-Nanoparticle-Impregnated Membranes for Water Treatment: A ReviewAchisa C. Mecha0Martha N. Chollom1Bakare F. Babatunde2Emmanuel K. Tetteh3Sudesh Rathilal4Renewable Energy, Environment, Nanomaterials, and Water Research Group, Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, Moi University, P.O. Box 3900, Eldoret 30100, KenyaEnvironmental Pollution and Remediation Research Group, Department of Chemical Engineering, Mangosuthu University of Technology, P.O. Box 12363, Durban 4026, South AfricaEnvironmental Pollution and Remediation Research Group, Department of Chemical Engineering, Mangosuthu University of Technology, P.O. Box 12363, Durban 4026, South AfricaGreen Engineering Research Group, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, Durban University of Technology, P.O. Box 1334, Durban 4001, South AfricaGreen Engineering Research Group, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, Durban University of Technology, P.O. Box 1334, Durban 4001, South AfricaIncreased affordability, smaller footprint, and high permeability quality that meets stringent water quality standards have accelerated the uptake of membranes in water treatment. Moreover, low pressure, gravity-based microfiltration (MF) and ultrafiltration (UF) membranes eliminate the use of electricity and pumps. However, MF and UF processes remove contaminants by size exclusion, based on membrane pore size. This limits their application in the removal of smaller matter or even harmful microorganisms. There is a need to enhance the membrane properties to meet needs such as adequate disinfection, flux amelioration, and reduced membrane fouling. To achieve these, the incorporation of nanoparticles with unique properties in membranes has potential. Herein, we review recent developments in the impregnation of polymeric and ceramic microfiltration and ultrafiltration membranes with silver nanoparticles that are applied in water treatment. We critically evaluated the potential of these membranes in enhanced antifouling, increased permeability quality and flux compared to uncoated membranes. Despite the intensive research in this area, most studies have been performed at laboratory scale for short periods of time. There is a need for studies that assess the long-term stability of the nanoparticles and the impact on disinfection and antifouling performance. These challenges are addressed in this study and future directions.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/13/4/432disinfectionfluxfoulingmembranessilver nanoparticleswater treatment |
| spellingShingle | Achisa C. Mecha Martha N. Chollom Bakare F. Babatunde Emmanuel K. Tetteh Sudesh Rathilal Versatile Silver-Nanoparticle-Impregnated Membranes for Water Treatment: A Review Membranes disinfection flux fouling membranes silver nanoparticles water treatment |
| title | Versatile Silver-Nanoparticle-Impregnated Membranes for Water Treatment: A Review |
| title_full | Versatile Silver-Nanoparticle-Impregnated Membranes for Water Treatment: A Review |
| title_fullStr | Versatile Silver-Nanoparticle-Impregnated Membranes for Water Treatment: A Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Versatile Silver-Nanoparticle-Impregnated Membranes for Water Treatment: A Review |
| title_short | Versatile Silver-Nanoparticle-Impregnated Membranes for Water Treatment: A Review |
| title_sort | versatile silver nanoparticle impregnated membranes for water treatment a review |
| topic | disinfection flux fouling membranes silver nanoparticles water treatment |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/13/4/432 |
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