Next-Generation Composite Membranes for Sustainable Separation Technologies: Structure, Function, and Environmental Relevance

Synthetic composite membranes have attracted significant attention due to their flexibility, multi-layer characteristics and ion exchange capability. These membranes are widely used in water purification systems to remove contaminants and improve water quality. In the energy sector, they play a crucial role in fuel cells and batteries by enhancing efficiency and performance. Additionally, synthetic composite membranes are integral in the biomedical field for applications such as drug delivery and dialysis.. This will allow the scientific and industrial communities to create customized membranes for particular uses. Due to the versatility of composite membrane manufacturing, they can now be used in various liquid and gaseous separation and beneficiation processes. Most commercial membranes employed nowadays, including those for reverse osmosis and nanofiltration, are made of thin composite materials. As a result of the development of composite materials, the membrane separation industry may soon be able to overcome long-standing challenges. The balance between selectivity and permeability of membranes has been one of the major challenges to progress and use of membranes.Depending on the pore size of the membrane, different pressure-driven membrane separation techniques produce different separations. There are four types of filtration: reverse osmosis (RO), microfiltration (MF), ultrafiltration (UF), and nanofiltration (NF). There are several industries that frequently use membrane filters, such as water treatment, wastewater treatment, food and beverage production, pharmaceutical production, chemical processing, and other industrial separations or purifications.