Two-Dimensional Nanomaterials and its Application as a Reverse Osmosis Membrane: An Overview

Abstract

With increased rate of global population and energy needs the clean water crisis aggravating all over the world continuously. Membranes based Reverse osmosis (RO) desalination technology is a promising solution to the shortage of safe drinking water as it has a high water recovery with low energy consumption compared to other separation techniques at minimum cost. Two dimensional (2D) nanoscale materials such as graphene with sub-nanopores have potential to excel as a RO membrane. Recent developments in 2D nanomaterials addressed the capability of RO membrane in terms of both mechanical strength and desalination performance. Developing the 2D materials with controlled pore (vacancy defect) sizes, pore chemistry and applied pressure is attracted vast interest in synthesizing such type of materials as a RO membrane. In this article, authors reviewed various 2D nanomaterials and its performance as a membrane in RO process.