Applications of MOF Membranes in Desalination and Water Treatment: From Fundamental Research to Engineering Practice

ABSTRACT

The growing global water crisis has accelerated the search for advanced materials capable of efficient desalination and water purification. Among these, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as promising candidates due to their ultrahigh porosity, tunable pore structures, large surface areas, and versatile functionalities. This review systematically examines recent advances in MOF membrane technology, covering the entire development pathway from MOF synthesis and membrane fabrication to desalination applications. State‐of‐the‐art synthetic approaches, including conventional hydrothermal methods and emerging green strategies such as microwave‐ and ultrasound‐assisted synthesis, are summarized. Key membrane fabrication techniques including in situ growth, electrospinning, mixed‐matrix membranes, and thin‐film composite membranes are discussed, together with postsynthetic modification strategies for enhancing membrane performance and stability. The review further highlights the roles of MOF membranes in four major desalination technologies: reverse osmosis, forward osmosis, adsorptive desalination, and solar‐driven interfacial water evaporation. Their unique structural and functional characteristics enable efficient separation through mechanisms such as size exclusion, Donnan exclusion, selective adsorption, and photothermal conversion. Finally, current challenges related to large‐scale production, long‐term stability, and economic feasibility are critically assessed, while future perspectives for the practical deployment and commercialization of MOF membranes in sustainable water treatment are outlined.