A review of advanced water treatment with polyurethane nanofiber membranes: Current advances and future directions

Rapid industrialization and population growth have intensified water scarcity and contamination, driving the need for advanced treatment technologies. Among these, membrane-based processes have gained prominence due to efficiency, scalability, and energy effectiveness. This review provides a comprehensive overview of polyurethane (PU) nanofiber membranes for water and wastewater treatment, highlighting their fabrication, structural properties, performance, and associated challenges. PU nanofibers produced by electrospinning exhibit high porosity, tunable morphology, and excellent mechanical stability, enabling the efficient removal of diverse pollutants, including heavy metals, organic contaminants, and microorganisms. Their surfaces can be functionalized to enhance selectivity and antifouling properties. This expands their potential in applications such as desalination, industrial effluent treatment, and micropollutant removal. Despite these advantages, fouling, cost-effective large-scale production, and long-term operational stability remain critical challenges. Recent advances in nanocomposite designs, surface engineering, and environmentally friendly fabrication methods are highlighted as promising strategies to overcome these limitations. By integrating PU nanofiber membranes with complementary technologies, such as membrane bioreactors and advanced oxidation processes, their role in sustainable water purification can be further enhanced. This review positions PU nanofiber membranes as a versatile and scalable solution to contemporary wastewater treatment challenges, while outlining pathways for future innovation.