ABSTRACT

Membrane technology has evolved to be one of the main filtration processes in various water/wastewater treatment applications. The success of the treatment process lies on the improved properties of membranes, notably water permeation, solute rejection, and antifouling capabilities. Over the past decade, hyperbranched macromolecules that comprise star polymers and dendrimers have gained increasing attention in membrane research as synthesis materials and modifying agents. These macromolecules which are composed of branched structure, high-density terminal functional groups, and large intramolecular free volume could offer an opportunity to design a new generation membrane with desirable characteristics. This review looks into the recent advances in the polymeric membrane synthesis and its modification using branched macromolecules. Highlights are given to the factors contributing to the changes in membrane properties (structural, morphological, and chemical functional groups) and performance after branched macromolecules are used as main membrane forming material or modifying agent. The review also discusses outlook and future works that can be further explored on utilizing branched macromolecules in membrane application. Challenges in promoting and commercializing branched macromolecules-based membranes are also discussed. This review can serve as a valuable reference for further development of membranes with improved performance and functionalities for water treatment application.

摘要

膜技术已经发展成为各种水/废水处理应用中的主要过滤工艺之一。处理过程的成功取决于膜的改进性能，特别是水渗透、溶质排斥和防污能力。在过去的十年中，包含星形聚合物和树枝状聚合物的超支化大分子作为合成材料和改性剂在膜研究中受到越来越多的关注。这些由支化结构、高密度末端官能团和大分子内自由体积组成的大分子可以为设计具有理想特性的新一代膜提供机会。本综述探讨了聚合物膜合成的最新进展及其使用支化大分子的修饰。重点介绍了支链大分子作为主要成膜材料或改性剂后影响膜性能（结构、形态和化学官能团）和性能变化的因素。该综述还讨论了在膜应用中利用支化大分子的前景和未来可以进一步探索的工作。还讨论了促进和商业化基于支化大分子的膜的挑战。该综述可为进一步开发具有改进性能和功能的水处理应用的膜提供有价值的参考。和化学官能团）和支化大分子作为主要成膜材料或改性剂后的性能。该综述还讨论了在膜应用中利用支化大分子的前景和未来可以进一步探索的工作。还讨论了促进和商业化基于支化大分子的膜的挑战。该综述可为进一步开发具有改进性能和功能的水处理应用的膜提供有价值的参考。和化学官能团）和支化大分子作为主要成膜材料或改性剂后的性能。该综述还讨论了在膜应用中利用支化大分子的前景和未来可以进一步探索的工作。还讨论了促进和商业化基于支化大分子的膜的挑战。该综述可为进一步开发具有改进性能和功能的水处理应用的膜提供有价值的参考。