MoS₂-containing composite membranes for separation of environmental energy-relevant liquid and gas mixtures: A comprehensive review

Molybdenum sulfide (MoS₂) materials adapted into membranes have demonstrated potential for different areas dealing with molecular separations. For instance, MoS₂-based membranes have been proposed for distinct environmental applications, such as water treatment, seawater desalination, gas separation, and solvent separation. Emergently, such membranes have been ultimately investigated for energy-relevant gas separation mixtures, such as CO₂ separation, H₂ purification, and bioethanol upgrading, among others. Therefore, this review elucidates the latest research (over the last three years) on MoS₂-based membranes facing previous approaches. Firstly, a brief introduction to the physiochemical properties of MoS₂-based materials. Secondly, a particular emphasis has been devoted to fabrication procedures and their effects on molecular separation in membrane processes, highlighting the most relevant outcomes and the transport mechanism reported by the research community in water treatment and purification, gas separation, and pervaporation. Finally, an analysis is conducted on the separation and stability mechanisms associated with membranes consisting of layer-stacked MoS₂. This research endeavor progressions in MoS₂-based membranes, consequently fostering the advancement of further membranes derived from two-dimensional materials. These membranes exhibit potential for improving efficiency and mitigating the energy consumption linked to water treatment and purification processes.