Bibliometric analysis of antibiofouling membranes in water treatment highlighting global research trends, challenges, impacts and future opportunities

Antibiofouling membranes have become pivotal in addressing fouling challenges in membrane-based processes across water treatment, desalination and industrial applications. This review presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of global research trends, challenges, impacts and future opportunities in antibiofouling membranes. Utilising Bibliometrix in R and advanced visualisation techniques, 172 publications from 2006 to 2023 were analysed, with data extracted from Scopus and Web of Science databases accessed on December 5, 2024. Key bibliometric indicators, including total citations, co-authorship networks and keyword co-occurrences, were explored to map the scientific landscape. The findings reveal a steady growth in research, with the most cited publication achieving 452 citations and an average of 45.2 citations per year. Surface modification emerged as the dominant theme, occurring 60 times and achieving the highest betweenness centrality of 1,252.975, highlighting its role in improving antifouling and biofilm resistance. Other critical research areas include nanofiltration, reverse-osmosis membranes and the integration of advanced materials like graphene oxide, silver nanoparticles and polydopamine. Interdisciplinary collaborations among material science, chemistry and environmental engineering were identified as key drivers of innovation. Despite advancements, gaps persist in scaling up technologies, addressing environmental sustainability, and applying antibiofouling membranes in underexplored areas like seawater desalination and wastewater treatment. Emerging trends, including energy-efficient solutions, biofilm mitigation and computational modelling for predictive performance, present significant opportunities for future research. This review underscores the transformative potential of antibiofouling membranes in enhancing operational efficiency and sustainability. By addressing identified research gaps and fostering interdisciplinary approaches, this study provides actionable insights and a strategic roadmap for researchers and policymakers to advance antibiofouling membrane technologies to meet global water and environmental challenges.