Progress in Functionalized Polymeric Membranes for Application in Waste Water Treatment

Abstract

Water shortage, inadequate fresh water resources, increasing water demand and rise in water pollution would be the major threat to the human society, nature and our planet in near future. As a solution to this problem, membrane technology is extensively recognized as a means of generating different grades of water from surface water, bore well water, brackish water, seawater and waste water. In the present situation, polymers and their derivatives direct our fast-evolving daily needs and indicates enormous potential for the expansion of membrane technology, as polymers are the base materials for polymeric membranes fabrication. In coming future, functional polymers will play vital role and largely incorporated in different uses. Therefore, polymeric membranes with inherent advantages emerge as an extremely competitive candidates for recovery and reuse of water, due to high efficiency, ease of employment, low cost and little environmental impact. In waste water treatment or desalination application, the major problem in polymeric membrane technology is often the loss of membrane performance due to organic and bio-fouling. This problem can be overcome by integration of functional groups with the polymeric membranes. This chapter delivers a comprehensive review on the development of advanced functionalized polymeric membranes.