## Nanomaterial-Based Membrane
### Polymer Nanocomposites Membranes for the Treatment of Wastewater  
Membranes used for wastewater treatment are synthesized from many ranges of inorganic and organic materials [39]. Thus, nanocomposite membranes are a novel category  
Figure 2: Membranes fabricated with nanomaterials, such as mono-component nanomaterial membranes fabricated with the integration of nanoparticles, nanofibers, carbon nanotubes, and nanosheets, and their composites (in conjunction with unique polymeric or inorganic materials) (Adapted from Ref. [37], with consent from Elsevier). of membranes made up of organic and inorganic polymeric materials, at nanoscale, thought to display improved performance when compared to typical membranes [40]. The inorganic materials comprise of ceramics, metals, and glass while organic materials comprise of polymers or mixed matrixes composite materials [41]. Recently, inorganic membrane synthesis has received consideration as a result of their excellent mechanical strength and chemical resistance; nonetheless, their relevance in water treatment applications is limited owing to the expensive synthesis process and snags in synthesizing [33]. Contrary to inorganic membranes, polymeric membranes are of better choice in industrial applications. The domination of polymeric membranes applications is due to their high selectivity, variation of membrane structures and characteristics, simplicity in preparation; control of the formation of pore and the polymers are not expensive [42]. Hence, the progression of membranes with excellent penetrability, excellent retention, and outstanding antifouling property is required for the decontamination of water [34]. The synthesis of nanocomposite membranes is for the preservation of the benefits of polymeric membranes. This is done in order to attain an exceedingly anticipated outcome for membrane advancement through the integration of engineered nanoscale materials in polymeric membranes. Furthermore, the drawbacks of polymeric membranes will be conquered [39; 43]. Two approaches have generally been implemented to synthesize nanocomposite and thin film nanocomposite membranes. The first approach involves the deposition of engineered nanoscale materials on polymeric membrane surfaces. The second approach encompasses the synthesis of mixed matrix nanocomposite membranes via the straightforward frame of engineered nanoscale materials within the polymeric matrix [32]. An amalgamation of the two approaches has been studied [44]. Nonetheless, in order to avoid complex processes during the preparation of unique multifunctional nanocomposite membranes, coating/deposition and mixing can both be utilized to attain an extensive variety of membranes with various properties that could be tailored for anticipated use [39]. Deposition is the procedure of creating a stratum of engineered nanoscale materials on the dynamic surface stratum of a membrane in order to have control on the hydrophilicity of the surface of the membrane via the changing of the chemical groups that are seen at the surface [45]. Several engineered nanoscale materials are accessible for integration into polymeric membranes to form state-of-the-art solutions for water paucity by mitigating fouling, attaining excellent fluxes, and enhancing the chemical and physical properties of the membrane. Hence, several nanomaterials could be used as a filler of nanocomposite membranes. Carbon nanotubes have outstanding thermal, electrical, and mechanical properties [46]. They can change/modify the physico-chemical properties of a membrane [47]. The interior pores of carbon nanotubes behave as selective nano-pores; hence, carbon nanotube composite membranes exhibited an excellent penetrability that is devoid of a reduction in selectivity when equated to other kinds of membranes [48]. [PERSON] et al. described a strategy of preparing carbon nanotube composite membranes for the utilization of a direct contact membrane distillation by varying feed temperatures and operating conditions [49].