Green technology for radioactive waste treatment: Bio membrane perspective

This review paper explores the future potential of biomembranes for treating radioactive wastewater through a literature review of synthetic membranes developed for similar applications, as well as ongoing research in biomembranes. As nuclear energy, pharmaceutical, and industrial technologies expand globally, the generation of radiocontaminants is also increasing, posing a serious threat to both environmental and human health. Biomembranes present a promising solution to this issue due to their high selectivity, energy efficiency, and potential for integration with green chemistry. Their development for radioactive wastewater treatment builds on extensive research into various synthetic membrane technologies, such as filtration, reverse osmosis, distillation, and adsorption. However, several challenges must be addressed before biomembranes can be widely adopted, including fouling, degradation under prolonged radiation exposure, limited regeneration cycles, and fabrication scalability. Promising research directions for overcoming these challenges include enhancing structural durability with functional groups (e.g., thiol, carboxyl), incorporating radiation-resistant additives (e.g., ceramics, metal oxides, MXene), developing self-healing and anti-fouling membrane systems (e.g., ESFDMs), and exploring novel fabrication methods like solvent-assisted lipid bilayers (SALB). If these technological hurdles are overcome, biomembranes could revolutionize radioactive waste treatment across diverse sectors, reducing secondary pollution and operational costs. Their integration into national and international nuclear waste strategies could transform environmental stewardship, aligning radioactive waste management with global sustainability goals.