Electrically conductive polymeric membranes for fouling prevention and detection: A review

This paper presents an overview on recent developments in fabrication of conductive polymeric membranes for fouling prevention in water treatment and desalination. At first, conductive polymers and mechanisms of their conductivity have been shortly discussed. Thereafter, the recent studies on preparation of electrically conductive polymer membranes and composite polymer-carbon nanotube membranes as well as on evaluation of the membranes properties have been critically summarized. Finally, a possibility of membrane fouling control by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy has been analyzed. The presented discussion shows that electrically conductive properties of the membranes suggest a wide range of possible advantages and applications that include development of (bio)fouling-resistant membranes, fouling control, and a combined electrochemical system with membrane processes for water treatment and desalination.