A comprehensive review on surface modified polymer membranes for biofouling mitigation

Biofouling is a major problem in environmental membrane separations because it leads to higher operating pressures, more frequent chemical cleaning, shortened membrane life, and compromised product water quality. The paper presents an overview on fabrication and properties of low-biofouling composite membranes for pressure-driven membrane processes. At first, biofouling phenomena and membrane surface properties which affect membrane biofouling have been discussed and the main objectives for the development of composite membranes for biofouling mitigation have been outlined. Thereafter the recent studies on the preparation of low-biofouling composite membranes using interfacial polymerization, surface grafting, coating of a protective layer and surface modification with nanoparticles have been critically summarised.