Title: Hydrophilic surface modification of polymeric membranes to improve antifouling property in Membrane bioreactor: a review

Authors: M. Jayadeekshitha; Karthik Raj; Nistala Venkata Subrahmanyam; Dipankar Pal

Addresses: Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Petroleum and Energy, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh 530003, India ' Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Petroleum and Energy, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh 530003, India ' Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Petroleum and Energy, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh 530003, India ' Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Petroleum and Energy, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh 530003, India

Abstract: Membrane bioreactor (MBR) is one of the most effective techniques used in the contemporary world in the field of separation processes. MBR has wide application in water and biological effluent treatment. Biofouling of membranes becomes more severe due to hydrophobic nature of surface. Therefore, it challenges high maintenance costs and reduces life-span of the membrane. On treating the membrane, the contact angle can be lowered and permeability can be improved effectively. The surface modification of membrane is an attractive approach to impart more hydrophilicity. This review comprises the introduction of MBR along with the working principle and the schematic diagram. This paper also discusses about various surface modification techniques for enhancement of membrane hydrophilicity in MBR. Nevertheless, researchers are finding ways to understand the key constraints such as membrane cleaning after bio-fouling, and develop novel ideas to overcome such surface phenomena. Besides, this review discusses briefly on particular areas of development on surface properties and various applications.

Keywords: MBR; membrane bioreactor; hydrophilic; hydrophobic; contact angle; permeability; surface modification; bio-fouling.

DOI: 10.1504/IJFE.2025.147535

International Journal of Forensic Engineering, 2025 Vol.5 No.3, pp.175 - 187

Received: 12 Feb 2021
Accepted: 28 Apr 2021
Published online: 21 Jul 2025 *

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