Membrane Materials for Desalination

In this chapter, advances in materials implemented in modern desalination membranes used in separation techniques will be addressed. Starting with the well-known thin-film composites, the chemistry of the active layer of polyamide will be highlighted, and its performance will also be discussed. It seems important to address the limitations of their use, particularly their sensitivity to chlorine. The second aspect is the implementation of alternative materials, considering the recent developments in the field of nanomaterials such as graphene oxide, biomimetic aquaporins, and metal-organic frameworks. It is important to demonstrate their potential to overcome the negative aspects of the traditional materials used as membranes. As a conclusion for this chapter, an assessment of the membranes’ performance will be provided based on the materials’ properties, focusing on sustainability and durability as key challenges for the next generation of membranes used in desalination processes.