Recent progress in molecular engineering to tailor organic–inorganic interfaces in composite membranes

Abstract

Organic–inorganic composite membranes are of great interest in modern water treatment processes because they offer potentially superior separation efficiency and advanced functionality by integrating the properties of polymers and inorganics. The biggest challenge in the fabrication and applications of organic–inorganic composite membranes is the incompatibility of organic–inorganic interfaces. In this minireview, we summarize the most recent advances in molecular engineering to tailor the properties of interfaces in composite membranes. Three typical models (i.e. mixed matrix models, interface composite models, and dual-layer composite models) are presented to demonstrate how to regulate these interfaces via molecular engineering and how the interfacial properties ultimately affect the membrane performance.