Exploring electromembrane extraction and liquid membrane for efficient removal of heavy metals from aqueous solutions: An overview

Abstract

Environmental pollution is experiencing an alarming surge within the global ecosystem, warranting urgent attention. Among the significant challenges that demand immediate resolution, effective treatment of industrial pollutants stands out prominently, which for decades has been the focus of most researchers for sustainable industrial development aiming to remove those pollutants and recover some of them. The liquid membrane (LM) method, specifically electromembrane extraction (EME), offers promise. EME deploys an electric field, reducing extraction time and energy use while staying eco-friendly. However, there's a crucial knowledge gap. Despite strides in understanding and applying EME, optimizing it for diverse industrial pollutants and environmental conditions remains uncharted. Future research must expand EME's applicability, assess its environmental impact versus other methods, and boost scalability, cost-effectiveness, and energy efficiency in industry. Advances in novel liquid membrane materials can enhance extraction efficiency and selectivity, aiming to provide efficient, sustainable industrial pollutant treatment. This research provides a review of the existing practices in the field of liquid membranes when coupled with the application of an electric field.