Materials Science World Congress

Ultrathin Membranes: A New Generation of Filtration and Separation Technologies

It is just nanometers thick. It holds great promise in high-efficiency and high-precision separation processes in water purification and gas separation to biomedical applications. Their thin-thickness structure considerably amplifies their permeability and selectivity compared with conventional membrane technologies.

Ultrathin membranes are applied in water treatment to remove contaminants, salts, and impurities. Membranes that are classified as ultrathin membranes are nanofiltration membranes: they apply desalination and wastewater treatment for efficient generation of clean and potable water. High selectivity ensures the removal of small organic molecules and ions, resulting in a high flow rate during filtration with optimal purification and cleaning capabilities, which allows using these membranes for large-scale filtration processes.

In gas separation, ultrathin membranes are applied in the differentiation of industrial gases like nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide. Their superiority in both permeability and selectivity contributes to making it possible to separate them more efficiently than by means of conventional membranes alone. This is a technology that is indispensable in petrochemical industries concerning the separation of gases before refining or chemical synthesis.

Ultrathin membranes are also advancing in the field of medical devices. In drug delivery systems, the very thin polymer membrane now is extremely useful in delivering medications and ensures accurate dosages of the same over time. Artificial organs and dialysis machines with ultrathin membranes ensure critical selective filtration and purification of patients.

More developed research is expected to open the future potential for ultrathin membranes, further allowing innovation in energy-efficient processes, protection of the environment, and health care. Its ability in high-precision separation at lower energy costs places it as one of the key technologies in the future of sustainable filtration and separation systems.