Recent advances of thin film composite membranes for pervaporation applications: A comprehensive review

Thin film composite (TFC) membrane, composed of an ultrathin selective layer and a microporous support layer, has exhibited its great potential for pervaporation applications, because of the high permeability, facile fabrication, and individual optimization of the support and selective layers. In this review paper, we summarize the research progress of TFC membranes in pervaporation applications detailly. Herein, pervaporation fundamentals are briefed, including performance parameters and transport mechanisms involved in liquid-liquid separation and pervaporation desalination. The fabrication methods of support and selective layers, i.e., non-solvent induced phase inversion and electrospunning for the former, as well as interfacial polymerization and layer by layer assembly for the latter are elaborated respectively. Furthermore, the optimization strategies of support and selective layers are also summarized, including material section, filler incorporation, membrane-forming condition, co-solvent assistance, and surface modification. Subsequently, the performance status of TFC membranes is analyzed for various applications, including organic dehydration, organic recovery, and desalination. Finally, the challenges and future perspectives are also presented. We hope that this review can give researchers some guidance for the design and further development of TFC membrane in pervaporation processes.