A review of membrane distillation enhancement via thermal management and molecular transport through nanomaterial-based membranes

Low-energy,high-efficiency desalination techniques are important because of the critical water-energy nexus.In particular,membrane distillation has great potential to harness low-grade and renewable energy sources.Composite membranes using micro-and nanomaterials have new capabilities and characteristics.This review focuses on the most recent developments and potential capabilities in membrane distillation systems from the perspective of nanomaterial enhancements,thermal management,and water transport.Self-heating nanomaterial membrane distillations using permeable composite membranes with significant photothermal or Joule-heating conversion capabilities enable macroscale thermal management and mitigate temperature polarization effects.Modifying the membrane structure and its interaction with water can accelerate water transport and evaporation,improving distillation at the microscopic level.This is expected to provide directions for the fabrication and manipulation of novel micro-and nanocomposite membranes for distillation processes at various levels,and enhance their applications.