A review on spacers and membranes: Conventional or hybrid additive manufacturing?. (1st January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Koo, Jing Wee; Ho, Jia Shin; An, Jia; Zhang, Yi; Chua, Chee Kai; Chong, Tzyy Haur
• Is Part Of: Water research. Volume 188(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-01-01
• Subjects: Hybrid additive manufacturing -- 3D printing -- Water treatment -- Membranes -- Spacers; Water -- Pollution -- Research -- Periodicals; 363.7394
• DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.116497
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0043-1354

Abstract

Highlights: Introduction of hybrid additive manufacturing for membrane-based water treatment. Comparison of hybrid additive manufacturing and conventional additive manufacturing. Critical review of membrane and spacer works associated with 3D printing. Address the controversies on additive manufacturing for membrane fabrication. Future trends of additive manufacturing for membrane-based water treatment. Abstract: Over the past decade, 3D printing or additive manufacturing (AM) technology has seen great advancement in many aspects such as printing resolution, speed and cost. Membranes for water treatment experienced significant breakthroughs owing to the unique benefits of additive manufacturing. In particular, 3D printing's high degree of freedom in various aspects such as material and prototype design has helped to fabricate innovative spacers and membranes. However, there were conflicting reports on the feasibility of 3D printing, especially for membranes. Some research groups stated that technology limitations today made it impossible to 3D print membranes, but others showed that it was possible by successfully fabricating prototypes. This paper will provide a critical and comprehensive discussion on 3D printing specifically for spacers and membranes. Various 3D printing techniques will be introduced, and their suitability for membrane and spacer fabrication will be discussed. It will be followed by a review of past studies associated with 3D-printed spacers and membranes. A new category of additive manufacturing in the membrane water industry will be introduced here, known as hybrid additive manufacturing, to address the controversies of 3D printing for membrane. As AM technology continues to advance, its possibilities in the water treatment is limitless. Some insightful future trends will be provided at the end of the paper. Graphical abstract: Image, graphical abstract