Materials Science World Congress

Materials for Water Desalination: Connecting people to clean water

Desalination has considerately garnered importance as the need for tap water as a mobile resource rises across the planet. Membrane-based technologies for desalination including reverse osmosis and forward osmosis require materials that enhance the efficiency and sustainability of the process. In enhancing the desalination of water there is the need for enhanced materials that will increase throughput, energy efficiency, and durability.

Any review of the desalination process especially reverse osmosis technology will not be complete without also outlining the importance of membrane materials. Symbolically, the deterioration of the RO membranes arises from its historically used thin-film composite polyamide (TFC) which generally offers high salt rejections and high water permeability. Nevertheless, studies are being made on synthesizing newer materials with improved characteristics for example higher fouling resistance and higher operational effectiveness.

Polyamide membranes are currently popular and well-developed materials in desalination but GO and CNTs are the prospective materials for next-generation desalination membranes. Such nanomaterials have better filtration capability, enhanced capabilities of water transport, and the possibility of lower energy consumption. Among all these innovative GO membranes, GO membranes illustrative in ultrafast water permeation and higher salt rejection have emerged as promising solutions for more efficient desalination.

Ceramic membranes are also being considered for their mechanical stability and chemically inert nature in the context for HTS and high salinity desalination applications. The polymer-based membranes that they are made of give them the ability to perform in even stricter conditions than the polymers but their higher costs have however not allowed for large scale use.

Energy, cost, and environmentally friendly wave drive innovation in desalination materials as research unfolds into the possible ways in enhancing its efficiency. Recent advancements in structures of membranes and other kinds of desalination technologies render more feasibility to deliver potable water to regions affected with water scarce.