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3D printed polymeric membranes for oil/water separation: a comprehensive review

Oily water treatment is a critical environmental challenge owing to the increasing demand for clean water and water pollution mitigation. Among the various treatment methods, membrane filtration stands out because of its numerous advantages, such as high separation efficiency, consistent water quality, versatility, and scalability. However, conventional treatment methods face notable limitations, such as non-uniform pore sizes, fouling problems, and severe environmental concerns owing to the use of toxic solvents in traditional phase inversion processes. Recent advancements in 3D printing technology offer promising solutions to address these drawbacks. This review investigates the potential of 3D-printed membranes as superior alternatives to conventional oil/water separation methods by comprehensively exploring their related aspects. This review begins by classifying 3D printing methods and examining their applications in 3D-printed water treatment membranes for oil/water separation. The key areas covered include membrane properties and characterization, membrane material selection, membrane fabrication and modification, and membrane design. This review also addresses the sustainability aspects of 3D-printed membranes for oil/water separation, highlighting the use of highly stable, renewable, and green materials, as well as the potential for material reuse and recycling. The challenges associated with the adoption of 3D printing for membrane production were addressed, focusing on material and process limitations, safety and environmental issues, and industrial scalability of the technology. Finally, this review outlines the prospects and future directions of research and innovation in 3D-printed membranes for oil/water separation, providing a comprehensive roadmap for advancing this emerging technology.