Polymer nanocomposite membranes for heavy metals removal

Kuok, King Kuok and Chiu, Po Chan and Md. Rezaur, Rahman and Muhammad Khusairy, Bakri and Khairul Anwar, Mohamad Said and Mohd Elfy, Mersal (2025) Polymer nanocomposite membranes for heavy metals removal. In: Polymer Nanocomposite Membranes in Water Treatment and Desalination : Recent Developments, Future Opportunities, and Sustainable Applications. Woodhead Publishing in Materials . Woodhead Publishing is an imprint of Elsevier, pp. 141-186. ISBN 978-0-443-23880-2 (online)

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Abstract

Water scarcity is an escalating global issue affecting billions and is projected to intensify in the coming decades. The increasing demand for clean water, coupled with the proliferation of wastewater from residential, industrial, and agricultural activities, is leading to the need for efficient and sustainable wastewater treatment technologies development, which is escalating. This chapter focuses on the significant threat posed by industrial wastewater, particularly due to toxic heavy metals such as lead, chromium, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury, which are persistent, bioaccumulative, and pose severe risks to human health and the environment. Recent advancements in polymer nanocomposite membrane technology offer promising solutions compared to traditional treatment methods. Polymer nanocomposite membranes, developed by incorporating nanoscale materials such as nanoparticles, nanofibers, and nanotubes into polymeric matrices, exhibit superior characteristics, including increased hydrophilicity, mechanical strength, and chemical stability. These membranes leverage the unique properties of both organic and inorganic materials, enhancing their functional properties such as permeability, selectivity, and chemical resistance, and proving extremely effective in the removal of heavy metals from wastewater. This chapter explores the latest developments in polymer nanocomposite membranes, emphasizing their design, operational dynamics, and efficacy in treating industrial effluents. It compares these innovative approaches to traditional methods, highlighting their potential to replace older, less effective technologies. This chapter demonstrates the crucial role of polymer nanocomposite membranes in future industrial applications, considering both their capabilities and developmental constraints. This advancement represents a substantial step toward achieving sustainable environmental management, offering a reliable solution to one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time.

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