Transformative nanomembranes: next-generation applications for sustainable wastewater treatment and emerging contaminant remediation

The twenty-first century's rapid industrialization, urbanization, and population expansion restrict the access to affordable, clean and hygienic water, which has become a major global concern. These conditions have exacerbated water contamination and shortage, thereby requiring the implementation of sophisticated and sustainable remediation technologies. In this regard, nanomembranes have gained recognition as a potentially effective technology for water and wastewater purification, attributable to their ultrathin architecture (generally < 100 nm), adaptable physicochemical characteristics and high surface area-to-volume ratio. This article examines the advancements in nanomembrane technologies, emphasizing how critical challenges related to fabrication, performance and stability have been systematically addressed over time. Initially, different types of nanomembranes are discussed, followed by comparison of conventional and advanced emerging methods of their preparation, where emerging methods provide improved environmental compatibility, multifunctionality and separation efficiency. The article further discusses the significance of nanomaterial-embedded nanomembranes, which incorporate materials like cobalt, carbon nanotubes, quantum dots and MXenes, in detecting and removing emerging pollutants at trace quantities in wastewater. This review also highlights the industrial applicability of nanomaterial-integrated nanomembranes by emphasizing their long-term operational stability, sustained separation performance and continuous treatment capability. Additionally, their uses and potential in cutting-edge water treatment are emphasized in the last section.