Research progress of fouling mitigation in photocatalysis coupled membrane filtration systems

Photocatalysis is an environmentally friendly advanced oxidation technology, which can effectively degrade organic pollutants. Membrane-based technology as an efficient separation approach has been widely used in the field of water treatment. However, membrane fouling is an obstacle for further application of membrane filtration, which would reduce membrane perm-selectivity, weaken separation efficiency, shorten membrane lifetime, and increase operation cost. Integrating photocatalysis into membrane filtration is considered as one of the effective means to alleviate membrane fouling. In this paper, the research progress of membrane fouling mitigation in photocatalysis coupled membrane filtration reactors(PMRs) systems was systematically reviewed. Firstly, the configurations and applications of different PMRs were summarized, as well as the pros and cons of them were analyzed. Taking titanium dioxide as an example,the strategies to improve photocatalytic efficiency of PMRs were discussed. Then, the mechanism of membrane fouling mitigation in the integrating systems were analyzed. Finally, the development and applications of PMR systems in the future were prospected.