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A Critical Review of Membrane Distillation Using Ceramic Membranes: Advances, Opportunities and Challenges
Francesca Alessandro1, Francesca Macedonio1
1Institute on Membrane Technology, National Research Council of Italy (CNR-ITM), via P. Bucci 17/C, 87036 Rende, CS, Italy.
Materials (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 30, 2025
Summary
Ceramic membranes show promise for membrane distillation (MD) water purification due to their durability. However, challenges like cost and surface properties need addressing for wider adoption in this thermally driven separation process.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Chemical Engineering
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Membrane distillation (MD) is a thermally driven process for water purification, desalination, and wastewater treatment.
- MD offers high solute rejection and operates at ambient pressure, utilizing low-grade heat.
- Current limitations in MD are linked to membrane material stability, particularly polymeric membranes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically assess the use of ceramic membranes in membrane distillation (MD).
- To highlight advancements in surface modification techniques for ceramic membranes.
- To explore emerging applications of ceramic membranes in advanced MD configurations.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on ceramic membranes for MD applications.
- Analysis of surface modification techniques to enhance ceramic membrane performance.
- Evaluation of challenges and opportunities for ceramic membrane implementation in MD.
Main Results:
- Ceramic membranes offer superior mechanical, chemical, and thermal stability compared to polymeric membranes.
- Challenges for ceramic membranes include high thermal conductivity, surface wettability, cost, and scalability.
- Surface modification techniques are crucial for improving ceramic membrane performance in MD.
Conclusions:
- Ceramic membranes are a viable alternative to polymeric membranes for demanding MD applications.
- Overcoming current challenges through material science and engineering is key to widespread ceramic membrane adoption in MD.
- Further research into surface modification and advanced MD configurations will drive the future of ceramic membrane technology.
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