Environmental remediation and the efficacy of ceramic membranes in wastewater treatment—a review

Abstract Ceramic membranes are gaining rapid traction in water and wastewater treatment applications due to their inherent advantages, such as chemical/thermal stability, low fouling propensity, and extended lifespan. This review paper provides a comprehensive overview of ceramic membranes, exploring their composition, fabrication techniques, filtration principles, and diverse applications. Various types of ceramic membranes, including alumina, zirconia, titania, silica, and zeolite, are discussed. As global challenges related to water scarcity and pollution intensify, the implementation of ceramic membranes offers a sustainable and effective approach for water and wastewater treatment and safeguarding vital water resources. Despite the dominance of polymeric membranes in the field, the constant pursuit of reduced production costs and the apparent benefits of ceramic membrane are fueling their rapid growth. The review also examines applications that demonstrate the effectiveness of pressure-driven ceramic membrane technology for treating industrial wastewaters from diverse industries, including textile, pharmaceutical, and petrochemical. While the technology shows efficiency in various wastewater treatment scenarios, future research should focus on optimizing investment costs through new fabrication technologies, improving selectivity, permeability, and packing densities, minimizing fouling, and proposing scale-up strategies based on experimental research results. The collective findings reveal the potential of ceramic membranes to revolutionize wastewater treatment and environmental remediation.