Recent progress in nanoparticle-based ion exchange membranes for water desalination

Abstract

The climate change and global warming are imminent threats to freshwater availability for human survival. Among different water desalination technologies, ion exchange membranes (IEMs) utilized in electrodialysis (ED) are emerging technologies for brackish water desalination. Enhancing the permselecitvity (PS) and water uptake (WU) of IEMs in ED is imperative to purify brackish water. In recent years, significant progress has been made in developing nanoparticle-based IEMs for performance enhancement. This review aims to highlight the integration of the different nanoparticles into polymer matrix to form mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) utilized as IEMs for enhancement in the performance of ED for water desalination. Furthermore, this review underlines the impact of morphology and concentration of different nanoparticles introduced into IEMs on the imperative performance parameters such as PS and WU. In addition, the study sheds light on the challenges in ED technology and IEMs synthesis, along with the recommendation for the commercialization of ED. Finally, the review concludes with some of the best nanoparticles suitable for IEMs synthesis for improving the performance in water desalination.

Keywords

• Water desalination
• Mixed matrix membranes (MMMs)
• Ion exchange membranes (IEMs)
• Electrodialysis (ED)