Advanced materials for energy-integrated wastewater treatment and resource recovery
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14295/bjs.v6i4.978Keywords:
energy-water trilemma, interfacial engineering, 2D MXenes, S-scheme heterojunctions, digital twinsAbstract
A paradigm shift towards circular and decentralized resource recovery hubs is needed from the status quo of linear wastewater treatment based on energy-intensive technology, caused by the current global water-energy-materials trilemma. Traditional engineering solutions are based on discrete unit operations and have a significant carbon footprint, and do not tackle the complex challenge of increasing pollution from industrial emissions and limited availability of freshwater. The comprehensive review provides a novel intellectual framework, based on interfacial engineering and multi-vector energy integration. We critically investigate the physicochemical transport phenomena in tunable two-dimensional (2D) transition metal carbides (MXenes), charge separation phenomena in advanced S-scheme semiconductor heterojunctions, and selective sequestration kinetics in hierarchical metal-organic framework (MOF) composites. The study aims to identify the potential benefits of integrating materials science, fluid mechanics, and renewable energy microgrids and to assess the ability of metaheuristic optimization and artificial intelligence-based digital twin technologies to reduce operational costs and improve thermodynamic efficiency. In addition, we clearly define research gaps in the field of fluorine-free synthesis routes, covalent membrane stabilization in harsh cross-flow hydrodynamics, and standardization of the boundary for life cycle assessment. This Review offers an in-depth, visionary blueprint for resilient, carbon-neutral, and economically sustainable industrial water recycling.
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