Who / What
Nanofiltration is a membrane filtration process that employs nanometer-sized pores, allowing particles smaller than about 1–10 nanometers to pass through. The technology uses predominantly polymer thin‑film membranes and serves as an intermediate step between ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis.
Background & History
The concept of nanofiltration emerged as an enhancement of conventional filtration techniques, leveraging polymer thin‑film membranes to create pores of 1–10 nm. It was developed to fill the gap between ultrafiltration, with larger pores, and reverse osmosis, which has even smaller pores. The technology has been refined to achieve selective separation of ions and organic molecules at relatively modest pressures.
Why Notable
Nanofiltration offers a unique balance of selectivity and efficiency, enabling removal of small ions and organic contaminants while requiring less pressure than reverse osmosis. Its ability to target particles in the 1–10 nm range makes it valuable for water purification, pharmaceutical processing, and bioprocessing. The technology has become a standard component of advanced filtration systems worldwide.
In the News
The field of nanofiltration continues to attract research attention for improving energy efficiency and broadening application areas. Recent studies focus on optimizing membrane materials and scaling up industrial processes. The technology remains central to discussions on sustainable water treatment and resource recovery.
