CHAPTER 5: Combined Photocatalysis–Separation Processes for Water Treatment Using Hybrid Photocatalytic Membrane Reactors

This chapter presents an overview of photocatalysis and its synergistic coupling with separation process to realize process intensification in a hybrid photocatalytic membrane. The review specifically covers photocatalytic ceramic membranes since the ceramic membrane has high permeability, good thermal, mechanical, chemical and biological stability, excellent UV resistance, and durability. Examples of novel photocatalytic ceramic membranes, the fabrication techniques and their performances are discussed. The challenges of scaling up the water treatment process incorporating a hybrid photocatalytic membrane reactor are addressed and the possible solutions covered include advances in photonic technology, innovative photocatalytic membrane reactor module, and proper treatment process design.