Recent Advances in Anti-Fouling Oil-Water Separation Membranes: A Review Focusing on Active and Passive Anti-Fouling Strategies

Abstract

Oily wastewater not only leads to the wastage of crude oil resources but also continuously jeopardizes biodiversity and human health. How to efficiently and harmlessly treat oily wastewater has become a pressing issue. Membrane separation technology is widely used in the field of oily wastewater treatment because of its simplicity, environmental sustainability, and high efficiency in oil-water separation. However, membrane contamination, particularly oil fouling, poses a severe threat to the stability and long-term performance of membrane flux. To achieve long-term stable membrane operation, it is essential to have a clear understanding of the anti-fouling mechanisms, accurately assess anti-fouling strategies, and select the optimal solution. However, a systematic discussion and comprehensive summary of anti-fouling oil-water separation membranes are seldom provided in existing studies. Hence, an in-depth discussion and systematic summary of recent research efforts based on anti-fouling oil-water separation membrane were provided in this article from the two distinct anti-fouling strategies of active and passive for the first time. Subsequently, the construction principles and anti-fouling mechanisms of anti-fouling oil-water separation membranes were evaluated under two strategies, and their advantages, disadvantages, and application prospects were systematically discussed. Representative studies, preparation principles, and the action mechanisms of intelligent response anti-fouling membranes were highlighted. Finally, the challenges faced by oil-water separation membranes and the future trends in anti-fouling were summarized and outlined, aiming to provide theoretical and practical guidance for the development of anti-fouling oil-water separation membranes.