Recent Advances in Fluorine- and Silicon-Integrated Organic Solvent Nanofiltration Membranes for Non-Polar Solvent Separation

Organic solvent nanofiltration (OSN), also known as solvent-resistant nanofiltration (SRNF), is an emerging membrane-based separation technique capable of efficiently separating molecules in the 200-1000 Da range within organic media. It holds considerable promise for applications in organic solvent systems, which are prevalent in the petrochemical, pharmaceutical and food processing industries. While OSN has been extensively studied in polar solvent systems, increasing attention is now being directed toward its performance in non-polar environments, driven by their substantial practical demand and application potential. Fluorinated and organosilicon-based materials have emerged as key components in the fabrication of high-performance OSN membranes for separation in non-polar solvent environments due to their exceptional chemical, thermal, and mechanical stability. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in the design and fabrication of fluorinated and organosilicon-based composite OSN membranes. Key separation mechanisms are discussed, with particular focus on their roles in the recovery and reuse of homogeneous catalysts in chemical and pharmaceutical processes. Finally, future research directions are proposed to guide the continued development and industrial deployment of the fluorine- and silicon-based OSN membranes in non-polar solvent applications.