Abstract
As a sustainable, cost-effective and energy-efficient method, membranes are becoming a progressively vital technique to solve the problem of the scarcity of freshwater resources. With these critical advantages, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have great potential for membrane desalination given their high aspect ratio, large surface area, high mechanical strength and chemical robustness. In recent years, the CNT membrane field has progressed enormously with applications in water desalination. The latest theoretical and experimental developments on the desalination of CNT membranes, including vertically aligned CNT (VACNT) membranes, composited CNT membranes, and their applications are timely and comprehensively reviewed in this manuscript. The mechanisms and effects of CNT membranes used in water desalination where they offer the advantages are also examined. Finally, a summary and outlook are further put forward on the scientific opportunities and major technological challenges in this field.
Highlights
Efficient and sustainable desalination technologies have developed under the pressure of water scarcity [1,2]
The primary cause is that carboxylated MWCNTs that are dispersedly deposited on the surface of the membrane are used to reduce bovine serum albumin (BSA) fouling by forming polymer brushes and hydrodynamic resistance [98]
With the development of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) at a steady pace, CNT membranes can act as advanced material for cutting-edge desalination technology
Summary
Efficient and sustainable desalination technologies have developed under the pressure of water scarcity [1,2]. Carbon-based nanomaterials, especially carbon nanotubes (CNTs) [14,15] are promising due to the large surface area, ease of functionalization, improved antifouling behaviors, superb mechanical strength, excellent sieving capabilities and exceptional water transport properties [7,9,16,17]. This study reviews the applications of CNTs based on MF, UF, NF, RO and FO in desalination from the perspective of mechanism. It will provide helpful information to researchers in a bid to advance the CNT membrane development of desalination applications. The effects on membranes exerted by adding CNTs are summarized in four parts, including water permeability and flux, ion selectivity, fouling resistance and mechanical performance.
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