A New era of water treatment technologies: 3D printing for membranes

The commercialization of sustainable 3D printing technology changed the face of manufacturing with its precise and uniform sustainable fabrication. Therefore, like other fields of science, research related to water treatment membranes has adopted this technology successfully, preventing the waste of huge amounts of solvents and thus reducing the high carbon emissions caused by fabrication. Currently, critical research is being conducted in relation to the membrane modules and the fabrication of the membranes themselves. The module studies focus primarily on spacer production and the membrane studies are mostly concerned with the membrane surface. The membrane surface research has successfully adapted inkjet printing for enhanced surface properties for high selectivity and fouling resistance through the printing of nano-materials on the membranes’ surfaces. Recently, 3D printing of the polymer membrane support or 3D printing-based interfacial polymerization has also been introduced into water treatment technologies. Since fouling resistance, selectivity and water permeability are the critical factors, many of the parameters can be controlled by the assistance of bespoke and precise 3D printing fabrication. In this study, we examine key aspects of technology which may shed light on future studies regarding 3D printed water treatment membranes and we review the critical developments to date.