Modeling <scp>PFAS</scp> Rejection by <scp>NF</scp> / <scp>RO</scp> Membranes: A Critical Review and Research Needs
ABSTRACT Nanofiltration (NF) and reverse osmosis (RO) membranes are typically highly effective for the rejection of per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), but existing studies have primarily focused on a small subset of compounds. Since the properties of individual PFAS vary and the rejection characteristics of NF and RO membranes likewise vary, a model that can predict PFAS rejection by membranes with specific properties would give water treatment practitioners more confidence in knowing that their choice of membrane treatment today would be effective for other PFAS of concern in the future. In this review, the state of the science of NF and RO rejection models is discussed, along with the unique physicochemical aspects of membranes and PFAS that impact membrane rejection. Finally, research is recommended to advance the state of membrane transport modeling by combining mechanistic, statistical, and system‐level modeling methods to achieve predictive models without onerous input requirements.
Authors
- Abayomi Babatunde Alayande (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6159-0073)
- Thomas F. Speth (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6640-2737)
- Val S. Frenkel (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9842-4279)
- Christopher Bellona (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3366-3559)
- Keisuke Ikehata (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9101-9775)
- Aron M. Griffin
- Chandra Mysore (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0548-5855)
- David A. Ladner (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9214-783X)
- Anne M. Mikelonis (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0835-5530)
- W. Shane Walker (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4136-8499)
- Kerry J. Howe (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8187-9744)
- Tae Lee (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1376-3950)
- Anjumand Ashraf
Institutions
- Texas Tech University (US)
- Environmental Protection Agency (US)
- Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (US)
- Texas State University (US)
- Colorado School of Mines (US)
- University of New Mexico (US)
- Durham Technical Community College (US)
- Cincinnati Health Department (US)
- McKing Consulting (United States) (US)
- Golder Associates (United States) (US)
- PR & Company (United States) (US)
- Rice University (US)
- Clemson University (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- AWWA Water Science
- Published
- 2026-06-29
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/aws2.70057
- Primary Topic
- Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances research
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00