Recent advances in chitosan- and polysulfone-based composite membranes for removal of heavy metals from water: a review

초록

Currently, one of the most severe environmental and public health problems worldwide is the widespread contamination of water bodies with heavy metals. Membrane technologies, particularly chitosan (CS)- and polysulfone (PSF)-based membranes, have shown great potential for the removal of heavy metal ions from water. Although existing reviews have broadly addressed polymeric membranes, limited attention has been given to the integrated analysis of CS/PSF composite membranes and their structure-performance relationships. This work provides a focused and analytical overview of CS/PSF-based composite membranes, covering fabrication techniques, physicochemical characteristics, and their implications for the removal of toxic heavy metals from water. Particular attention is devoted to correlating membrane structure (e.g., morphology, composition, and surface functionality) with separation performance, enabling a comparative understanding of reported polymeric membrane systems. The synergistic combination of CS, with its high affinity toward metal ions, and PSF, offering mechanical and thermal stability, is critically discussed in relation to permeability, selectivity, and operational durability. It is observed that membranes with higher CS content and enhanced surface functionalization generally exhibit improved heavy metal rejection, while optimized phase inversion and blending techniques contribute to enhanced structural stability and permeability. In addition, the mechanisms governing heavy metal removal, including adsorption, ion exchange, and complexation, are systematically examined. Key challenges such as fouling behavior, long-term stability, regeneration efficiency, and scale-up limitations are also critically evaluated. Finally, current research gaps and future directions are highlighted to guide the development of sustainable and high-performance CS/PSF-based membrane systems for practical water treatment applications. This review provides valuable insights for advancing the design and large-scale implementation of efficient membrane-based technologies for water purification. © 2026 The Authors

키워드