A comprehensive review on the use of Ti3C2Tx MXene in membrane-based water treatment

Abstract

Population growth, industrial activities, and the energy demands of water production intensify the global challenge of accessing clean water. Membrane-based water treatment processes have emerged as crucial solutions to address this crisis, these include microfiltration (MF), ultrafiltration (UF), nanofiltration (NF), forward osmosis (FO), reverse osmosis (RO), and membrane distillation (MD). This review summarizes the properties and use of Ti3C2Tx MXene, a material with notable chemical stability, specific surface area, hydrophilicity, thermal conductivity, and environmental compatibility. Ti3C2Tx fills in the class of two-dimensional materials, it is promising in various membrane processes by offering enhancement in hydrophilicity, permeability, and selectivity. In UF, Ti3C2Tx-based membranes have superior antifouling properties and high rejection rates of contaminants. Meanwhile, in NF, MXene nanosheets elevate the rejection of organics, dyes, and salts, and present valuable nanocomposite membranes. In desalination, incorporating Ti3C2Tx in RO membranes is found to increase water permeability while maintaining high salt rejection in desalination. Also, MXene-modified FO membranes had lower fouling and improved water flux compared with plain membranes, presenting a promising avenue for water purification. Additionally, Ti3C2Tx enhanced water vapor transport and resistance against wetting, which is favorable in MD.This review underscores the transformative potential of Ti3C2Tx MXene in revolutionizing membrane-based water treatment processes, providing innovative solutions to meet the escalating global demand for clean water. Future research directions should optimize MXene-based membrane designs and scale up their production for practical applications in water treatment, thereby contributing to a more sustainable water future.