New emerging review on advances in block copolymer based water purification membranes

Abstract Membrane technology enables the use of membranes as filters in a wide array of separation processes leading to various applications. Nano filtration membrane is the choice of most of the studies due to its excellent efficiency for the softening of water and also its ability to remove heavy metals. Though polymers and composites are widely employed as Nano filtration membranes, there is very limited work in the area of block copolymer based Nano composite/membranes/blends and hence the present review concentrates on this aspect. This review also includes a comprehensive discussion on di and tri block copolymers (BCPs) along with their blends and composite membranes in the area of water purification. This review also discusses about the various techniques that are employed for the fabrication of BCP based membrane and its characteristics. Tuning of pore size and its efficiency in water purification are discussed in a comprehensive manner. Compared to the existing reviews, this review gives an overview about the efficiency of BCP blends and composites in water purification.