Interfacial Heating in Membrane Distillation: Advances, Optimization Strategies, and Industrial Applications for Desalination

Interfacial heating (IH) membrane distillation (MD) is a promising MD variation with significant potential for freshwater production from brine and seawater. Unlike conventional MD, IH-MD heats locally between the hydrophobic membrane and saline water to enhance the vapor flux and minimize heat loss. However, a unified understanding of the performance of various IH-MD systems remains lacking. Stability challenges such as membrane wetting, scaling, fouling, and corrosion caused by the introduction of heating materials pose significant obstacles to industrial application. This review critically examined recent advances in interfacial heating methods, including photothermal, Joule, conduction, and induction heating. Photothermal approaches offer sustainability and improved energy efficiency but are limited by sunlight exposure and adsorption, while electrothermal methods provide stable interfacial heating flux at the cost of higher energy use and potential material degradation. Strategies to enhance energy performance and durability are discussed in detail, such as combining multiple heating methods, refining module and configuration designs, optimizing membrane properties, and adjusting operating conditions. We also assessed the economic viability of IH-MD for industrial applications. While IH-MD faces challenges related to material durability, system complexity, and scale-up, its ability to eliminate thermal polarization, reduce energy consumption, and enable integration with renewable energy sources positions it as a transformative approach for future sustainable desalination and water purification technologies. This review aims to bridge the knowledge gaps between scientific innovation and real-world applications of various IH-MD technologies.