A Short Review on Carbon Nanotube Membranes for Water Treatment and Desalination

The preparation of nanocomposite membranes containing Carbon NanoTubes (CNTs) has been one of the prevalent subjects for research. Despite drawing attention to studying it, these efforts were insufficient in comparison with its prospect as a new technology. The importance of using carbon nanotube membranes, especially in water treatment and desalination applications, has persuaded all countries to focus more and more on relevant research. In recent decades, carbon nanotubes membranes are a major branch in the field of membrane technologies because of the discovery of new properties of the CNTs in different conditions and various substrates, the effect of the CNTs orientation and the sorting on the nanocomposite properties, and new interactions with the pollutants and the salt molecules in the water purification process. In this area, new methods for synthesis, the use of novel materials and the clarification of the mechanisms are the most important issues that cause accessibility of cheaper, more flexible, and more efficient methods. The review consists of the preparation of polymeric nanocomposites containing the CNTs, mechanism, orientation, and arrangement methods of carbon nanotubes in membrane structure, as well as the recent application of these membranes for water treatment and desalination. The findings of this review might lead to more curiosity and investigation regarding the above matters.