Photocatalytic membrane technologies for removal of recalcitrant pollutants

Abstract

Massive grow of population has led to increase in waste production not only from domestic activities but also industries, that cause an increase of emerging contaminants in wastewater and water bodies. Recalcitrant pollutants like dyes and drugs, including endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) became the main pollutant in wastewater which may cause several health problems for human and animals. EDCs can interfere the endocrine systems, and cause several problems such as human reproduction, Alzheimer’s, thyroid, obesity, cancer and reproductive system of aquatic animals. Dyes are toxic, carcinogenic, and can reduce oxygen and light penetration in the photosynthesis process. The persistent properties cause the conventional wastewater treatment, which mostly employed biodegradation process, to be inadequate in treating the pollutants, hence, poor quality effluent is released into the water bodies. Thus, this article reviewed the photocatalytic membrane technologies as an advanced wastewater treatment alternative to improve the effluent quality. The review included the photocatalytic membrane fabrication, characterization, and various modifications to enhance the photocatalytic membrane performances. The presence of the photocatalyst provides a high rate of pollutants degradation as well as enhancement of the membrane performance by preventing membrane fouling and flux from declining. Modification of photocatalytic membrane by binary photocatalyst is highlighting the improvement of visible light-response photoactivity.