Paper Titles

Detection of Antibiotic-Resistant Klebsiella Sp. from the Wupa River and Wastewater Treatment Plant, F.C.T Abuja
p.121

Assessment of Oxidative Stress Biomarkers as Indicators of Environmental Pollution in Water Hyacinth and Nile Tilapia from Effluent-Impacted Wupa River Abuja
p.133

Efficient PAHs Removal from Wastewater Using Coal-Derived Carbon Nanoparticles: Optimization and Reusability Studies
p.145

Comparative Study of Physicochemical, Bacteriological and Heavy Metal Quality of Water in Selected Fish Farms in Abuja, Nigeria
p.159

Evaluation of Eichornia Crassipe (Water Hyacinth) as Bio-Accumulator of Selected Heavy Metals in Effluent-Impacted Wupa River, Abuja Nigeria
p.179

Nanoscale Precision in Membrane Design: A Mini Review on Atomic Layer Deposition for Functional Modifications
p.191

Integration of Hydrophilic COOH and ZnO/Fe₃O₄ into PA-TFN Membranes for Enhanced Pb(II) Removal and Antifouling
p.201

Recycling Plastic Medical Waste as a Second Life Application
p.211

Techno-Economic Assessment of a Biomass Power Plant Utilizing Agricultural Residues in Latifiyah, Iraq Using SAM Software
p.229

HomeAdvanced Materials ResearchAdvanced Materials Research Vol. 1189Nanoscale Precision in Membrane Design: A Mini...

Nanoscale Precision in Membrane Design: A Mini Review on Atomic Layer Deposition for Functional Modifications

Article Preview

Abstract:

Membrane-based separation technology has grown significantly due to its cost-effectiveness, energy efficiency, easy system operations, and scale-up. The versatility of membrane application is also a significant factor in their widespread use in many separation processes. Their applications span water treatment, gas purification, energy production, and biomedicine. While promising, membrane technology still requires improvements in membrane features and performance, such as pore structure, fouling resistance, chemical stability, and concurrent enhancement of permeability and selectivity. Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) has emerged as a powerful tool for enhancing membrane properties and performance through surface modification with atomic-scale precision, enabling conformal coatings, functional surface modification, and precise control over pore size. The ability of ALD to deposit uniform and conformal films on membrane substrates makes it a favourable modification technique. This review offers a concise yet informative discussion on the fundamentals of ALD, its integration with membrane modification, recent advancements in ALD-modified membranes, emerging trends in membrane modification via ALD, and challenges of ALD application in membrane modification.

You might also be interested in these eBooks

3D Printing, Corrosion, Surface Treatment, Technology for Food Security and Waste Recycling

Info:

Periodical:

Advanced Materials Research (Volume 1189)

Pages:

191-199

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4028/p-eyq9TX

Citation:

Cite this paper

Online since:

March 2026

Authors:

Ngozi Enemuo, Tien Chien Jen, Adedotun Adetunla*, Uchenna Godwin Azubuike

Keywords:

Atomic Layer Deposition, Fouling, Membrane Performance, Membrane, Membrane Modification

Export:

RIS, BibTeX

Price:

Permissions CCC:

Request Permissions

Permissions PLS:

Request Permissions

Сopyright:

© 2026 Trans Tech Publications Ltd. All Rights Reserved

Share:

Citation:

* - Corresponding Author

[1] R. W. Baker, Membrane Technology and Applications. John Wiley & Sons, 2023.

[2] A. Abdelrasoul, Ed., Advances in Membrane Technologies. InTechOpen, 2020.

DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.82587

[3] S. F. Ahmed et al., 'Strategies to improve membrane performance in wastewater treatment', Chemosphere, vol. 306, p.135527, Nov. 2022.

DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.135527

[4] P. Pandey and R. S. Chauhan, 'Membranes for gas separation', Progress in Polymer Science, vol. 26, no. 6, p.853–893, Aug. 2001.

DOI: 10.1016/S0079-6700(01)00009-0

[5] B. E. Logan and M. Elimelech, 'Membrane-based processes for sustainable power generation using water', Nature, vol. 488, no. 7411, p.313–319, Aug. 2012.

DOI: 10.1038/nature11477

[6] E. R. Radu, S. I. Voicu, and V. K. Thakur, 'Polymeric Membranes for Biomedical Applications', Polymers, vol. 15, no. 3, Art. no. 3, Jan. 2023.

DOI: 10.3390/polym15030619

[7] N. Enemuo, H. Richards, and M. O. Daramola, 'Evaluation of the performance of Fe3O4-NPs/PVDF nanocomposite membrane for removal of BTEX from contaminated water', Journal of Water Process Engineering, vol. 60, p.105185, Apr. 2024.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jwpe.2024.105185

[8] T. Ahmad, C. Guria, and A. Mandal, 'A review of oily wastewater treatment using ultrafiltration membrane: A parametric study to enhance the membrane performance', Journal of Water Process Engineering, vol. 36, p.101289, Aug. 2020.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jwpe.2020.101289

[9] K. C. Khulbe and T. Matsuura, 'Removal of heavy metals and pollutants by membrane adsorption techniques', Appl Water Sci, vol. 8, no. 1, p.19, Jan. 2018.

DOI: 10.1007/s13201-018-0661-6

[10] H. Attia, S. Alexander, C. J. Wright, and N. Hilal, 'Superhydrophobic electrospun membrane for heavy metals removal by air gap membrane distillation (AGMD)', Desalination, vol. 420, p.318–329, Oct. 2017.

DOI: 10.1016/j.desal.2017.07.022

[11] W. T. Vieira, M. B. de Farias, M. P. Spaolonzi, M. G. C. da Silva, and M. G. A. Vieira, 'Removal of endocrine disruptors in waters by adsorption, membrane filtration and biodegradation. A review', Environ Chem Lett, vol. 18, no. 4, p.1113–1143, Jul. 2020.

DOI: 10.1007/s10311-020-01000-1

[12] H. Salazar et al., 'Photocatalytic and antimicrobial multifunctional nanocomposite membranes for emerging pollutants water treatment applications', Chemosphere, vol. 250, p.126299, Jul. 2020.

DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.126299

[13] W. Gong, L. Bai, and H. Liang, 'Membrane-based technologies for removing emerging contaminants in urban water systems: Limitations, successes, and future improvements', Desalination, vol. 590, p.117974, Dec. 2024.

DOI: 10.1016/j.desal.2024.117974

[14] P. S. Goh, K. C. Wong, and A. F. Ismail, 'Membrane technology: A versatile tool for saline wastewater treatment and resource recovery', Desalination, vol. 521, p.115377, Jan. 2022.

DOI: 10.1016/j.desal.2021.115377

[15] C. Chen, G. Yang, D. Liu, X. Wang, N. A. Kotov, and W. Lei, 'Aramid Nanofiber Membranes for Energy Harvesting from Proton Gradients', Advanced Functional Materials, vol. 32, no. 1, p.2102080, 2022.

DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202102080

[16] G. Han, S. Zhang, X. Li, and T.-S. Chung, 'High performance thin film composite pressure retarded osmosis (PRO) membranes for renewable salinity-gradient energy generation', Journal of Membrane Science, vol. 440, p.108–121, Aug. 2013.

DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2013.04.001

[17] M. M. Tellez-Cruz, J. Escorihuela, O. Solorza-Feria, and V. Compañ, 'Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs): Advances and Challenges', Polymers, vol. 13, no. 18, Art. no. 18, Jan. 2021.

DOI: 10.3390/polym13183064

[18] M. F. Ahmad Kamaroddin et al., 'Membrane-Based Electrolysis for Hydrogen Production: A Review', Membranes, vol. 11, no. 11, Art. no. 11, Nov. 2021.

DOI: 10.3390/membranes11110810

[19] J. R. Kim, S. Cheng, S.-E. Oh, and B. E. Logan, 'Power Generation Using Different Cation, Anion, and Ultrafiltration Membranes in Microbial Fuel Cells', Environ. Sci. Technol., vol. 41, no. 3, p.1004–1009, Feb. 2007.

DOI: 10.1021/es062202m

[20] B. Díez and R. Rosal, 'A critical review of membrane modification techniques for fouling and biofouling control in pressure-driven membrane processes', Nanotechnol. Environ. Eng., vol. 5, no. 2, p.15, Jun. 2020.

DOI: 10.1007/s41204-020-00077-x

[21] A. H. Behroozi, V. Vatanpour, L. Meunier, M. Mehrabi, and E. H. Koupaie, 'Membrane Fabrication and Modification by Atomic Layer Deposition: Processes and Applications in Water Treatment and Gas Separation', ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, vol. 15, no. 11, p.13825–13843, Mar. 2023.

DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c22627

[22] K. J. Dorsey et al., 'Atomic Layer Deposition for Membranes, Metamaterials, and Mechanisms', Advanced Materials, vol. 31, no. 29, p.1901944, 2019.

DOI: 10.1002/adma.201901944

[23] G. Mahmodi et al., 'Improving antifouling property of alumina microfiltration membranes by using atomic layer deposition technique for produced water treatment', Desalination, vol. 523, p.115400, Feb. 2022.

DOI: 10.1016/j.desal.2021.115400

[24] M. Weber, A. Julbe, A. Ayral, P. Miele, and M. Bechelany, 'Atomic Layer Deposition for Membranes: Basics, Challenges, and Opportunities', Chem. Mater., vol. 30, no. 21, p.7368–7390, Nov. 2018.

DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemmater.8b02687

[25] R. W. Johnson, A. Hultqvist, and S. F. Bent, 'A brief review of atomic layer deposition: from fundamentals to applications', Materials Today, vol. 17, no. 5, p.236–246, Jun. 2014.

DOI: 10.1016/j.mattod.2014.04.026

[26] H.-C. Yang, R. Z. Waldman, Z. Chen, and S. B. Darling, 'Atomic layer deposition for membrane interface engineering', Nanoscale, vol. 10, no. 44, p.20505–20513, 2018.

DOI: 10.1039/C8NR08114J

[27] R. Shang, A. Goulas, C. Y. Tang, X. de Frias Serra, L. C. Rietveld, and S. G. J. Heijman, 'Atmospheric pressure atomic layer deposition for tight ceramic nanofiltration membranes: Synthesis and application in water purification', Journal of Membrane Science, vol. 528, p.163–170, Apr. 2017.

DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2017.01.023

[28] H. Chen, S. Wu, X. Jia, S. Xiong, and Y. Wang, 'Atomic layer deposition fabricating of ceramic nanofiltration membranes for efficient separation of dyes from water', AIChE Journal, vol. 64, no. 7, p.2670–2678, 2018.

DOI: 10.1002/aic.16097

[29] M. Weber, A. Julbe, S. S. Kim, and M. Bechelany, 'Atomic layer deposition (ALD) on inorganic or polymeric membranes', Journal of Applied Physics, vol. 126, no. 4, p.041101, Jul. 2019.

DOI: 10.1063/1.5103212

[30] X. Niu, G. Dong, D. Li, Y. Zhang, and Y. Zhang, 'Atomic layer deposition modified PIM-1 membranes for improved CO2 separation: A comparative study on the microstructure-performance relationships', Journal of Membrane Science, vol. 664, p.121103, Dec. 2022.

DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2022.121103

[31] T.-N. Kim et al., 'Tunable atomic level surface functionalization of a multi-layered graphene oxide membrane to break the permeability-selectivity trade-off in salt removal of brackish water', Separation and Purification Technology, vol. 274, p.119047, Nov. 2021.

DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2021.119047

[32] Q. Wang, X. Wang, Z. Wang, J. Huang, and Y. Wang, 'PVDF membranes with simultaneously enhanced permeability and selectivity by breaking the tradeoff effect via atomic layer deposition of TiO2', Journal of Membrane Science, vol. 442, p.57–64, Sep. 2013.

DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2013.04.026

[33] L. Zhang et al., 'Stable construction of superhydrophobic surface on polypropylene membrane via atomic layer deposition for high salt solution desalination', Journal of Membrane Science, vol. 647, p.120289, Apr. 2022.

DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2022.120289

[34] J. Lu, Q. Chen, S. Chen, H. Jiang, Y. Liu, and R. Chen, 'Pd Nanoparticles Loaded on Ceramic Membranes by Atomic Layer Deposition with Enhanced Catalytic Properties', Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., vol. 59, no. 44, p.19564–19573, Nov. 2020.

DOI: 10.1021/acs.iecr.0c04158

[35] H. Itoh and T. Yanagishita, 'Anodic Porous Alumina Membranes with Chemical Stability Improved by Atomic Layer Deposition Coating of TiO2', ECS J. Solid State Sci. Technol., vol. 13, no. 2, p.023002, Jan. 2024.

DOI: 10.1149/2162-8777/ad2197

[36] X. Jia, Z. Low, H. Chen, S. Xiong, and Y. Wang, 'Atomic layer deposition of Al2O3 on porous polypropylene hollow fibers for enhanced membrane performances', Chinese Journal of Chemical Engineering, vol. 26, no. 4, p.695–700, Apr. 2018.

DOI: 10.1016/j.cjche.2017.10.008

[37] J. Lee, I. S. Kim, M.-H. Hwang, and K.-J. Chae, 'Atomic layer deposition and electrospinning as membrane surface engineering methods for water treatment: a short review', Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., vol. 6, no. 7, p.1765–1785, Jul. 2020.

DOI: 10.1039/C9EW01134J

[38] S. Xiong, X. Qian, Z. Zhong, and Y. Wang, 'Atomic layer deposition for membrane modification, functionalization and preparation: A review', Journal of Membrane Science, vol. 658, p.120740, Sep. 2022.

DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2022.120740