Recent advances in modifying the surface of polymeric NF membranes to enhance the removal of endocrine-disrupting compounds from water and wastewater

Removal of wastewater discharge containing endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) is a daunting task due to their low concentration and persistency in aqueous environment. Nanofiltration (NF) is one of the most predominant ways to remove EDCs from wastewater owing to the customizable membrane and membrane system to achieve efficient EDC removal. Addressing the trade-off between selectivity and water permeances of NF membranes is crucial to further heighten the performance of the NF process for large-scale and long-term operation. One of the most significant advancements in this area is the development of innovative NF membranes to enhance their efficiency for EDCs removal from wastewater. However, the specific mechanisms behind the total removal of EDCs by NF membranes with high flux are still unknown. Consequently, the present article examines exhaustively the EDCs rejection mechanisms by incorporating appropriate adsorbent materials, adjusting the pore size by selecting the proper monomers, controlling the surface charge, and enhancing the surface hydrophilicity by incorporating nanofillers. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the functions and advantages of cutting-edge membranes for the treatment of wastewater contaminated by EDCs. Electrostatic charge induction, the formation of chelating compounds, and the tuning of pore size have all been found to provide high rejection, whereas hydrophilic nanofillers have been shown to offer high permeability and antifouling capabilities. The cost-effective and non-toxic application of natural polymer compounds and 2D/3D nanomaterials for increasing the EDC capture rate and permeability is also suggested for further research. Finally, the research limitations and uncertainties of these NF membranes in EDC-contaminated water treatment are highlighted. The results of this investigation showed that adopting cutting-edge treatment techniques in NF membranes significantly reduced the amount of EDCs pollutants.