Recent Advances in Polymeric Membrane Integration for Organic Solvent Mixtures Separation: Mini-Review

Membrane technology offers considerable potential for enhancing or partially replacing conventional separation techniques, which could eventually lead to substantial energy savings. This review focuses on recent advancements in membrane separation technologies including organic solvent pervaporation (OSPV), organic solvent reverse osmosis (OSRO), organic solvent nanofiltration (OSN), and organic solvent ultrafiltration (OSUF) that are increasingly vital in the pharmaceutical, biochemical, and petrochemical industries. Although hybrid and inorganic membranes exhibit promising performance, polymeric membranes provide advantages in scalability and processability. The development of materials capable of operating under demanding conditions that include exposure to organic solvents, high temperatures, extreme pH levels, and oxidative environments remains critical. Here, we examine recent innovations in membrane materials and their integration into organic solvent systems. Key challenges, including material swelling, fouling, and scaling, are discussed, along with recent strategies to address these issues. Finally, we identify emerging research directions that could drive further progress in membrane technology for organic media applications.