Recent advances in membrane modification for microalgae dewatering: Strategies and challenges

Microalgae dewatering is a pivotal step in the industrial processing of microalgae for diverse purposes, such as biofuel production, food additives, and wastewater. Efficient dewatering reduces energy use and costs in subsequent processing steps. Among various dewatering technologies, membrane technology has gain prominence as a promising alternative for microalgae dewatering. However, despite its potential, challenges remain especially in overcoming membrane fouling. Fouling is a major barrier to the broader use of membrane filtration in microalgae dewatering. It drastically reduces filtration performance and increasing operational and maintenance costs. To address these challenges, advanced membrane modification techniques have been developed, focusing on minimizing fouling and enhancing the sustainability and overall effectiveness of microalgae dewatering. This review endeavours to bring the current development of membranes with modification for the microalgae dewatering efficiency. The modification of membrane techniques, namely surface coating, grafting, and incorporating functional material aim to improve critical characteristics like mechanical durability, chemical robustness, and surface hydrophilicity. A comprehensive analysis of recent research findings and cutting-edge strategies are provided. The existing limitations and the development of innovative solutions are reviewed. Advancing membrane technologies through membrane modification with suitable functional materials and nanomaterials is an effective strategy for more efficient microalgae dewatering.