Prospects and State-of-the-Art of Carbon Nanotube Membranes in Desalination Processes

Abstract

This chapter presents an overview of the manufacture, physicochemical properties, and effective application of carbon nanotube (CNT) membranes in desalination technologies. A comprehensive discussion on the current knowledge pertinent to CNT exploitation in desalination is made. It is demonstrated that considerable efforts have been made in the past decade toward the development of membranes incorporating nanocarbons, in particular CNTs, for desalination processes. Primary attention has been paid to the basic properties of CNT polymer mixed matrix and vertically aligned CNT membranes. It is shown that solution transport properties and desirable chemical functionalities in CNTs necessitate high water fluxes as well as controllable salt rejection. Subsequently, the chapter analyzes the merits and challenges associated with these CNT membranes with regard to nanotoxicology and environmental remediation. Finally, an assessment on the sustainability of CNT membranes in desalination systems is made from a social, technological, and commercial perspective.