Recent advances in thin film composite (TFC) membrane development: materials and modification methods

The interfacial polymerization method of thin film composite membrane fabrication represents a major development in the field, which has enabled outstanding success in preparing membranes with desired flux and salt rejection properties, drawing the significant attention of industry circles. Indeed, over the past decade, industries and academia have, respectively, made tremendous efforts to improve thin film composite membranes in terms of productivity, selectivity, and resistance to chlorine, solvents, and fouling. The current article, after a brief overview of the historical development of thin film composite membranes, examines recent scientific and technological developments in the research of thin film composite membranes, especially in separation processes related to water. These developments have to be evaluated in order to provide insights that will guide future advancements and hopefully expand applications into more complex fields.