A Critical Review of Sustainable Biodegradable Polymeric Reverse Osmosis Membranes

The technology of producing fresh water from brackish water is promising, especially if it applies sustainability. Reverse osmosis (RO) is an effective technology for water treatment and desalination, but the use of traditional polymer membranes can have negative environmental impacts due to their non-biodegradability. Biodegradable polymers offer a promising alternative for RO membranes, as they are made from renewable resources and can be broken down by natural processes, minimizing their environmental impact. This critical review discusses the current state of research on biodegradable polymer membranes for RO in water treatment, including their synthesis, characterization, and performance in laboratory and industrial conditions. The challenges and opportunities for scaling up the production of biodegradable polymers, improving their mechanical strength, and optimizing their performance in water treatment applications are also discussed. The low mechanical strength and stability of biodegradable polymers is another challenging issue. Biodegradable polymers need harsh conditions such as high temperatures, high salinity, and exposure to certain chemicals to be degraded. Overall, biodegradable polymer membranes offer a sustainable and environmentally friendly option for RO in water treatment, but further research is needed to optimize their performance and overcome their current limitations.