Pub Date : 2025-02-22DOI: 10.1016/j.coche.2025.101106
Milad R Esfahani , Steven T Weinman
Plastic is ubiquitous across all aspects of modern life. Despite its usefulness, only 9% of all plastic waste ever produced has been recycled, leaving a tremendous amount that ends up in landfills and the environment. New strategies need to investigate using this waste plastic. This report analyzes upcycling waste plastics into membranes for water and gas separations. Polyethylene terephthalate, polystyrene, poly(vinyl chloride), polyethylene, polypropylene, and tire rubber have been studied for use as membranes. Future work needs to investigate greener solvents, health and safety aspects, costs, supply and demand, and life cycle assessments for upcycling plastic waste into membranes.
{"title":"Membranes from upcycled waste plastics: current status, challenges, and future outlook","authors":"Milad R Esfahani , Steven T Weinman","doi":"10.1016/j.coche.2025.101106","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coche.2025.101106","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Plastic is ubiquitous across all aspects of modern life. Despite its usefulness, only 9% of all plastic waste ever produced has been recycled, leaving a tremendous amount that ends up in landfills and the environment. New strategies need to investigate using this waste plastic. This report analyzes upcycling waste plastics into membranes for water and gas separations. Polyethylene terephthalate, polystyrene, poly(vinyl chloride), polyethylene, polypropylene, and tire rubber have been studied for use as membranes. Future work needs to investigate greener solvents, health and safety aspects, costs, supply and demand, and life cycle assessments for upcycling plastic waste into membranes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":292,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering","volume":"48 ","pages":"Article 101106"},"PeriodicalIF":8.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143464542","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-02-20DOI: 10.1016/j.coche.2025.101103
Hande Demir , Pinar Aydogan Gokturk , Ethan J Crumlin
Water treatment technologies separate relevant solutes from water resources for water reuse, valuable resource recovery, and increasing the equity and availability of clean water worldwide. Although a variety of treatment methods exist, their performance needs to be improved to enable selective separation with increased durability and fouling resistance. To achieve this, we need to gain a better understanding of how molecular-level physics and chemistry impact integrated systems. Regarding current research on water treatment techniques, there is a clear need to study such systems under realistic environmental conditions. In this review, we aim to show that X-ray spectroscopic techniques are uniquely positioned to provide such information by obtaining detailed molecular insight into phenomena relevant to water research. By doing so, we hope to accelerate the rational design of novel treatment materials and processes. Specifically, a deeper understanding of the complex and interconnected phenomena that impact multilevel water treatment processes will lead to the successful development of next-generation water purification technologies.
{"title":"Using advanced X-ray spectroscopy to reveal molecular level insights into water treatment","authors":"Hande Demir , Pinar Aydogan Gokturk , Ethan J Crumlin","doi":"10.1016/j.coche.2025.101103","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coche.2025.101103","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Water treatment technologies separate relevant solutes from water resources for water reuse, valuable resource recovery, and increasing the equity and availability of clean water worldwide. Although a variety of treatment methods exist, their performance needs to be improved to enable selective separation with increased durability and fouling resistance. To achieve this, we need to gain a better understanding of how molecular-level physics and chemistry impact integrated systems. Regarding current research on water treatment techniques, there is a clear need to study such systems under realistic environmental conditions. In this review, we aim to show that X-ray spectroscopic techniques are uniquely positioned to provide such information by obtaining detailed molecular insight into phenomena relevant to water research. By doing so, we hope to accelerate the rational design of novel treatment materials and processes. Specifically, a deeper understanding of the complex and interconnected phenomena that impact multilevel water treatment processes will lead to the successful development of next-generation water purification technologies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":292,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering","volume":"48 ","pages":"Article 101103"},"PeriodicalIF":8.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143446075","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-02-19DOI: 10.1016/j.coche.2025.101104
Camilla Mossotto , Alessandra Maganza , Alice Gabetti , Giuseppe Esposito , Caterina Faggio , Monia Renzi , Syed Shabi Ul Hassan Kazmi , Elena Bozzetta , Marino Prearo , Paolo Pastorino
Micro(nano)plastics (MNPs) are emerging contaminants affecting aquaculture, a key global protein source. Their presence poses significant risks to aquatic ecosystems, farmed species, and human health through consumption of contaminated products. This mini-review highlights MNP contamination in aquaculture, focusing on detection methods, mitigation strategies, and future solutions. Aquaculture-derived MNPs are significant contributors to pollution, requiring innovative countermeasures such as biodegradable materials, advanced real-time detection technologies, and strengthened filtration systems. Future perspectives emphasize the urgent need for standardized, cost-effective MNP detection methods and the adoption of bio-based materials, balancing ecological benefits and environmental impacts. Nature-based solutions, such as plant-based filters, and eco-engineered strategies offer promising avenues to improve ecosystem resilience. Policymakers must establish regulatory frameworks to limit MNP pollution, integrate microplastics into food safety protocols, and promote sustainable practices. Long-term studies on human health risks are also critical to inform actionable interventions. Addressing MNP pollution in aquaculture requires global collaboration and technological innovation to ensure seafood safety, protect ecosystems, and reduce the industry’s environmental footprint.
{"title":"Tackling micro(nano)plastic pollution in aquaculture systems","authors":"Camilla Mossotto , Alessandra Maganza , Alice Gabetti , Giuseppe Esposito , Caterina Faggio , Monia Renzi , Syed Shabi Ul Hassan Kazmi , Elena Bozzetta , Marino Prearo , Paolo Pastorino","doi":"10.1016/j.coche.2025.101104","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coche.2025.101104","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Micro(nano)plastics (MNPs) are emerging contaminants affecting aquaculture, a key global protein source. Their presence poses significant risks to aquatic ecosystems, farmed species, and human health through consumption of contaminated products. This mini-review highlights MNP contamination in aquaculture, focusing on detection methods, mitigation strategies, and future solutions. Aquaculture-derived MNPs are significant contributors to pollution, requiring innovative countermeasures such as biodegradable materials, advanced real-time detection technologies, and strengthened filtration systems. Future perspectives emphasize the urgent need for standardized, cost-effective MNP detection methods and the adoption of bio-based materials, balancing ecological benefits and environmental impacts. Nature-based solutions, such as plant-based filters, and eco-engineered strategies offer promising avenues to improve ecosystem resilience. Policymakers must establish regulatory frameworks to limit MNP pollution, integrate microplastics into food safety protocols, and promote sustainable practices. Long-term studies on human health risks are also critical to inform actionable interventions. Addressing MNP pollution in aquaculture requires global collaboration and technological innovation to ensure seafood safety, protect ecosystems, and reduce the industry’s environmental footprint.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":292,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering","volume":"48 ","pages":"Article 101104"},"PeriodicalIF":8.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143446076","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-02-18DOI: 10.1016/j.coche.2025.101100
Natalia A. Cano-Londoño , Rebecca Saive , Tim Bekius , Laura Franco-García
This study presents a critical analysis of the sustainability of solar energy systems within the planetary boundaries framework, which sets the limits within which humanity can safely operate. Given the substantial contribution of the energy sector to global greenhouse gas emissions, solar energy has emerged as a crucial element in the shift toward a sustainable energy future. Nevertheless, numerous challenges impede solar energy systems reaching optimal effectiveness, encompassing technological and methodological sustainable tools constraints, environmental impacts, and socioeconomic implications. This research aims to comprehensively assess these challenges and propose strategies to surmount them through applying a Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment approach. The primary research question addressed is, "How reliable are the predictive and anticipatory assessment methods for sustainable solar energy systems within our planetary boundaries?" The study integrated circular economy principles, criticality evaluation, and advanced technological tools to enhance solar energy systems’ efficiency, environmental performance, and socioeconomic benefits. By addressing the entire life cycle of solar technologies — from material extraction to end-of-life (cradle-to-grave) — this work seeks to contribute to developing more sustainable solar energy systems that operate within the safe limits of our planet’s boundaries. The findings highlight the need for a holistic approach that not only focuses on technological advancements but also considers the broader environmental and socioeconomic impacts to ensure a truly sustainable energy transition.
{"title":"Prediction and assessment methods for sustainable solar energy systems within our planetary boundaries: how reliable are they?","authors":"Natalia A. Cano-Londoño , Rebecca Saive , Tim Bekius , Laura Franco-García","doi":"10.1016/j.coche.2025.101100","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coche.2025.101100","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study presents a critical analysis of the sustainability of solar energy systems within the planetary boundaries framework, which sets the limits within which humanity can safely operate. Given the substantial contribution of the energy sector to global greenhouse gas emissions, solar energy has emerged as a crucial element in the shift toward a sustainable energy future. Nevertheless, numerous challenges impede solar energy systems reaching optimal effectiveness, encompassing technological and methodological sustainable tools constraints, environmental impacts, and socioeconomic implications. This research aims to comprehensively assess these challenges and propose strategies to surmount them through applying a Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment approach. The primary research question addressed is, \"How reliable are the predictive and anticipatory assessment methods for sustainable solar energy systems within our planetary boundaries?\" The study integrated circular economy principles, criticality evaluation, and advanced technological tools to enhance solar energy systems’ efficiency, environmental performance, and socioeconomic benefits. By addressing the entire life cycle of solar technologies — from material extraction to end-of-life (cradle-to-grave) — this work seeks to contribute to developing more sustainable solar energy systems that operate within the safe limits of our planet’s boundaries. The findings highlight the need for a holistic approach that not only focuses on technological advancements but also considers the broader environmental and socioeconomic impacts to ensure a truly sustainable energy transition.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":292,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering","volume":"48 ","pages":"Article 101100"},"PeriodicalIF":8.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143436433","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-02-13DOI: 10.1016/j.coche.2025.101097
Roberto Castro-Muñoz , Grzegorz Boczkaj
Chemical cross-linking in membrane fabrication aims to face limitations of polymer membranes, including poor chemical resistance, low mechanical stability, swelling, etc. Typical cross-linkers do not fit green chemistry and sustainable principles due to their toxicity. Thus, this article discusses the successful application of green cross-linkers (including organic acids — citric, gallic, ferulic, and tannic acid, calcium chloride, deep eutectic solvents, pectin) and less toxic substances in polymer membranes (including biopolymeric ones based on chitosan or cellulose) fabrication. This article also mentions how to make it ‘greener’. Important areas for these developments include food biopackaging materials, 3D printing materials, and biomedical items.
{"title":"Paving the way for green cross-linker substances for the fabrication of polymer membranes — a review","authors":"Roberto Castro-Muñoz , Grzegorz Boczkaj","doi":"10.1016/j.coche.2025.101097","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coche.2025.101097","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Chemical cross-linking in membrane fabrication aims to face limitations of polymer membranes, including poor chemical resistance, low mechanical stability, swelling, etc. Typical cross-linkers do not fit green chemistry and sustainable principles due to their toxicity. Thus, this article discusses the successful application of green cross-linkers (including organic acids — citric, gallic, ferulic, and tannic acid, calcium chloride, deep eutectic solvents, pectin) and less toxic substances in polymer membranes (including biopolymeric ones based on chitosan or cellulose) fabrication. This article also mentions how to make it ‘greener’. Important areas for these developments include food biopackaging materials, 3D printing materials, and biomedical items.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":292,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering","volume":"47 ","pages":"Article 101097"},"PeriodicalIF":8.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143403072","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-02-12DOI: 10.1016/j.coche.2025.101094
Fang Deng
{"title":"Editorial overview: Advances on Z-scheme and S-scheme photocatalysis for environmental application","authors":"Fang Deng","doi":"10.1016/j.coche.2025.101094","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coche.2025.101094","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":292,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering","volume":"47 ","pages":"Article 101094"},"PeriodicalIF":8.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143388343","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-02-07DOI: 10.1016/j.coche.2025.101098
Karen Acurio-Cerda, Rajesh Keloth, Oghenetega Allen Obewhere, Shudipto Konika Dishari
Polymer-based membrane technologies aim to address critical needs for separation, purification, transport, wound healing, contaminant removal, and more. While robust performance from these membranes is a priority, there is also a pressing need for sustainable, cost-effective solutions for membrane materials to replace perfluorinated and petroleum-derived polymers, which pose significant environmental concerns. Lignin, the second most naturally abundant polymer and a waste by-product of pulp and paper industries and cellulosic biorefineries, offers immense potential to drive sustainable materials revolution. This largely underutilized biopolymer possesses many physical and chemical attributes, making it suitable for biomedical, environmental, and energy applications. For instance, lignin and its functionalized derivatives offer antimicrobial, antioxidant, ultraviolet (UV)-blocking, and barrier properties, which are essential for slow drug release, wound healing with reduced stress, combating antibiotic resistance, and sterile food packaging/preservation. On the other hand, lignin’s 3D, hyperbranched architecture, phenolic units, and facile functionalization opportunities enable unique physical, mechanical, thermal, chemical, and ion transport/separation characteristics, critical for clean water and clean energy technologies. Therefore, by transforming lignin-rich biomass feedstock and industrial waste into value-added, efficient products, we can potentially address global needs for clean water, safe food, affordable healthcare, and renewable energy, as outlined in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. This mini-review highlights recent advancements in lignin-based membrane designs for biomedical, environmental, and energy applications, alongside a brief discussion on rooms for improvement in this emerging field via lignin valorization.
{"title":"Lignin-based membranes for health, food safety, environmental, and energy applications: current trends and future directions","authors":"Karen Acurio-Cerda, Rajesh Keloth, Oghenetega Allen Obewhere, Shudipto Konika Dishari","doi":"10.1016/j.coche.2025.101098","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coche.2025.101098","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Polymer-based membrane technologies aim to address critical needs for separation, purification, transport, wound healing, contaminant removal, and more. While robust performance from these membranes is a priority, there is also a pressing need for sustainable, cost-effective solutions for membrane materials to replace perfluorinated and petroleum-derived polymers, which pose significant environmental concerns. Lignin, the second most naturally abundant polymer and a waste by-product of pulp and paper industries and cellulosic biorefineries, offers immense potential to drive sustainable materials revolution. This largely underutilized biopolymer possesses many physical and chemical attributes, making it suitable for biomedical, environmental, and energy applications. For instance, lignin and its functionalized derivatives offer antimicrobial, antioxidant, ultraviolet (UV)-blocking, and barrier properties, which are essential for slow drug release, wound healing with reduced stress, combating antibiotic resistance, and sterile food packaging/preservation. On the other hand, lignin’s 3D, hyperbranched architecture, phenolic units, and facile functionalization opportunities enable unique physical, mechanical, thermal, chemical, and ion transport/separation characteristics, critical for clean water and clean energy technologies. Therefore, by transforming lignin-rich biomass feedstock and industrial waste into value-added, efficient products, we can potentially address global needs for clean water, safe food, affordable healthcare, and renewable energy, as outlined in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. This mini-review highlights recent advancements in lignin-based membrane designs for biomedical, environmental, and energy applications, alongside a brief discussion on rooms for improvement in this emerging field via lignin valorization.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":292,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering","volume":"47 ","pages":"Article 101098"},"PeriodicalIF":8.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143350251","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-02-07DOI: 10.1016/j.coche.2025.101096
Zexiao Zheng , Juhua He , Justin HK Man , Taoran Dong , Irene MC Lo
Incorporating green hydrogen production into photoelectrochemical (PEC) wastewater treatment has been demonstrated as a promising approach to enhance the sustainability of wastewater treatment. Such a bifunctional PEC system eliminates the dependence of water splitting on pure water consumption and enables wastewater valorization. This critical review initially delves into the advances in developing photoelectrodes for bifunctional PEC systems and summarizes the involved modification approaches. Subsequently, the review provides a comprehensive analysis of strategies for optimizing the operation of bifunctional PEC systems and impacts from the wastewater matrices. Furthermore, the challenges presented in the industrialization of this technology are also pointed out. As such, further investigations are encouraged into the scale-up of the PEC reactor, the prolongation of photoelectrode lifespan, the development of downstream hydrogen storage techniques, cost-effectiveness assessment, and the strategy against external variations, thus advancing the bifunctional PEC technique toward industrialization.
{"title":"Hydrogen production from photoelectrochemical wastewater treatment: advancing toward sustainability","authors":"Zexiao Zheng , Juhua He , Justin HK Man , Taoran Dong , Irene MC Lo","doi":"10.1016/j.coche.2025.101096","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coche.2025.101096","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Incorporating green hydrogen production into photoelectrochemical (PEC) wastewater treatment has been demonstrated as a promising approach to enhance the sustainability of wastewater treatment. Such a bifunctional PEC system eliminates the dependence of water splitting on pure water consumption and enables wastewater valorization. This critical review initially delves into the advances in developing photoelectrodes for bifunctional PEC systems and summarizes the involved modification approaches. Subsequently, the review provides a comprehensive analysis of strategies for optimizing the operation of bifunctional PEC systems and impacts from the wastewater matrices. Furthermore, the challenges presented in the industrialization of this technology are also pointed out. As such, further investigations are encouraged into the scale-up of the PEC reactor, the prolongation of photoelectrode lifespan, the development of downstream hydrogen storage techniques, cost-effectiveness assessment, and the strategy against external variations, thus advancing the bifunctional PEC technique toward industrialization.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":292,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering","volume":"47 ","pages":"Article 101096"},"PeriodicalIF":8.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143285452","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
This perspective paper presents a focused review of a selected topic of chemical-based products, namely, formulations. As formulations cover a wide range of chemical-based products, we highlight opportunities for innovation in three types of formulations — liquid blends, which are mixtures of chemicals that are in the liquid state at standard conditions; liquid formulations, which are mixtures of chemicals that may exist in different states but the final product is a single-phase liquid; and emulsions, which are also mixtures of chemicals that may exist in different states, but the final product is in the form of an emulsion. In each case, we discuss aspects of design, analysis, and innovation together with issues and challenges that could be tackled to find better and more sustainable products. In particular, the potential of hybrid artificial intelligence augmented computer-aided techniques that can aid in the design, analysis, and innovation of formulations is highlighted.
{"title":"Innovation through intelligent computer-aided formulation design","authors":"Thunyaras Phanusupawimol , Kris Prasopsanti , Naz P Taskiran , Venkat Venkatasubramanian , Rafiqul Gani","doi":"10.1016/j.coche.2025.101099","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coche.2025.101099","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This perspective paper presents a focused review of a selected topic of chemical-based products, namely, formulations. As formulations cover a wide range of chemical-based products, we highlight opportunities for innovation in three types of formulations — liquid blends, which are mixtures of chemicals that are in the liquid state at standard conditions; liquid formulations, which are mixtures of chemicals that may exist in different states but the final product is a single-phase liquid; and emulsions, which are also mixtures of chemicals that may exist in different states, but the final product is in the form of an emulsion. In each case, we discuss aspects of design, analysis, and innovation together with issues and challenges that could be tackled to find better and more sustainable products. In particular, the potential of hybrid artificial intelligence augmented computer-aided techniques that can aid in the design, analysis, and innovation of formulations is highlighted.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":292,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering","volume":"47 ","pages":"Article 101099"},"PeriodicalIF":8.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143285451","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-01-27DOI: 10.1016/j.coche.2025.101095
Yazan Ibrahim , Farah Ejaz Ahmed , Nidal Hilal
Surface patterning of membranes has demonstrated significant performance enhancements in various membrane-based technologies. Surface patterns can increase the effective membrane area, improve interfacial area, and enhance hydrodynamics, leading to better membrane properties. Such patterns have been successfully fabricated on a lab scale using template-based molding and direct fabrication process. However, transitioning these techniques to commercial-scale production presents challenges, including maintaining pattern fidelity, ensuring reproducibility and scalability, achieving cost-effectiveness, and avoiding pattern-induced defects. This short article focuses on the emerging field of surface patterning of membranes, exploring different techniques for pattern creation and their effects on membrane properties, structure, and performance. The practicality, sustainability, and scalability challenges of each technique are thoroughly evaluated to determine their potential for commercialization and broader application in membrane technology. The essential steps and future directions needed to address these concerns and limitations are discussed, and a framework for evaluating surface patterning techniques is proposed to stimulate future research and development, advancing the commercial viability and reliability of surface-patterned membranes in the membrane technology industry.
{"title":"Practicality and potential of membrane surface patterning in membrane technology","authors":"Yazan Ibrahim , Farah Ejaz Ahmed , Nidal Hilal","doi":"10.1016/j.coche.2025.101095","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coche.2025.101095","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Surface patterning of membranes has demonstrated significant performance enhancements in various membrane-based technologies. Surface patterns can increase the effective membrane area, improve interfacial area, and enhance hydrodynamics, leading to better membrane properties. Such patterns have been successfully fabricated on a lab scale using template-based molding and direct fabrication process. However, transitioning these techniques to commercial-scale production presents challenges, including maintaining pattern fidelity, ensuring reproducibility and scalability, achieving cost-effectiveness, and avoiding pattern-induced defects. This short article focuses on the emerging field of surface patterning of membranes, exploring different techniques for pattern creation and their effects on membrane properties, structure, and performance. The practicality, sustainability, and scalability challenges of each technique are thoroughly evaluated to determine their potential for commercialization and broader application in membrane technology. The essential steps and future directions needed to address these concerns and limitations are discussed, and a framework for evaluating surface patterning techniques is proposed to stimulate future research and development, advancing the commercial viability and reliability of surface-patterned membranes in the membrane technology industry.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":292,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering","volume":"47 ","pages":"Article 101095"},"PeriodicalIF":8.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143174490","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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