Evolving frontiers in drinking water membrane technology: a 25-year bibliometric and antifouling perspective

Based on a comprehensive dataset of 5,925 publications retrieved from Scopus and the Web of Science Core Collection between 2000 and 2024, this study systematically maps the research landscape of membrane technology for drinking water production via integrated bibliometric analysis and visualization using VOSviewer, Origin 2023, and R statistical software. The results indicated that annual publications increased by approximately 1,361% (from 36 in 2000 to 526 in 2024), with China and USA collectively contributing about 52% of global publications. Core journals in this domain include Water Research, Journal of Membrane Science, and Chemosphere. Early pioneering work was carried out by Bart Van der Bruggen, while Liang Heng from Harbin Institute of Technology has become one of the most productive researchers in recent years. Notably, the research focus has gradually shifted from membrane processes to membrane materials. While previous reviews have largely focused on technical optimization without systematic quantification of research trends or collaboration networks, this study fills that gap by providing the first large‑scale bibliometric mapping of the field’s evolution, geographic hotspots and emerging themes. Additionally, this study reviews the research progress in antifouling strategies, encompassing membrane cleaning techniques and membrane surface modification, aiming to provide valuable insights for researchers worldwide.