Fabrication of Advanced 2D Nanomaterials Membranes for Desalination and Wastewater Treatment

Environmental concerns regarding water shortages due to industrialization and pollution have led to escalation in research towards efficiency in wastewater treatment and desalination. To date, nanotechnology is the most effective solution towards water shortages and is currently used for wastewater treatment and desalination. Among the emerging nanosheets, two-dimensional (2D) nanosheets have gained much attention since graphene was discovered in the fabrication of cost-effective and sustainable membranes for environmental remediation. Recently, 2D nanoengineered membrane technologies have revealed a new potential for removing hazardous compounds from our surroundings. The present chapter gives an overview of the concept of membrane technology, membrane fabrication techniques and the importance of 2D nanomaterials in the desalination and wastewater treatment membranes. Firstly, popular fabrication methods for membranes, such as electrospinning, drop-casting, spin-coating, solution casting and phase inversion, will be discussed. This will be followed by the application of 2D nanoengineered membranes incorporated with graphene, MXenes, molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) and other nanosheets, in their 2D form, for excellent improvement in desalination and wastewater treatment. Notably, the chapter emphasizes the wide range of membrane applications as well as their potential and challenges for use in the development of nanotechnology-based environmental remediation.