Emerging nanomaterials incorporated in membranes for polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) removal from water: A review

Water purification become more challenging day by day, due to novel anthropogenic pollutants such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) used in nonstick cookware, firefighting foams, packaging etc. PFAS has adverse effects on human health and ecosystem and their physicochemical properties and unique molecular structures make the conventional water treatment methods more challenging. Among the novel PFAS removal technologies, nanomaterials incorporated in membranes are regarded as promising membrane technology for the treatment of PFAS. This review explores the incorporation of nanomaterials in membranes for PFASs removal, examining both current applications and future prospects. Nanomaterials possessing excellent features when incorporated in membranes can enhance their properties and hence makes this technology a potential candidate for PFAS removal. In this critical review, the relationships between membrane performance and properties are studied. Challenges and limitations such as high production costs, stability of nanomaterials within membranes, non-uniform distribution of nanomaterials in membrane matrices, and potential toxicity associated with nanomaterials are identified. This analysis also underscores research gap, prompting further exploration and development such as large-scale production and commercialization of mixed matrix membrane systems, optimization of membrane fabrication techniques, and the exploration of additional 2D nanomaterials.