Advancements and Applications of Nanofiltration: A Review

Nanofiltration (NF) has emerged as a versatile membrane-based separation technology, bridging the gap between ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis. It offers significant advantages in water treatment, food processing, pharmaceutical purification, and industrial wastewater recycling due to its selective permeability to divalent and larger monovalent ions. This review comprehensively discusses the fundamental principles of NF, membrane fabrication techniques, transport mechanisms, and recent advancements in material modifications for enhanced performance. Additionally, the paper highlights key applications, including desalination, removal of micropollutants, and resource recovery, while addressing challenges such as membrane fouling, operational stability, and energy efficiency. Future research directions focusing on novel membrane materials, hybrid NF systems, and sustainable membrane development are also explored. The insights provided in this review aim to support further advancements in NF technology, promoting its wider adoption in environmental and industrial sectors.