Precise control on water treatment by microfluidic marvels

• Published in: Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering
• Main Author: Wong W.D.; Majnis M.F.; Lai C.W.; Sagadevan S.; Muhd Julkapli N.
• Format: Review
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 2024
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85202586786&doi=10.1016%2fj.jece.2024.113880&partnerID=40&md5=557828f5e8682d7f1df2384b247af047

Microfluidic devices have recently gained significant attention owing to their unique capabilities for employing small volumes and precise control of fluid flow. This review begins with the general idea of conventional wastewater systems and their limitations. Recent advances in various water purification processes have been discussed in detail for each water pollutant. This also aims to provide a comprehensive overview of advancements in microfluidic technology for separation and water purification applications. This study also explored various advanced wastewater treatment techniques, including physical, chemical, and biological methods. It then delves into the various types of microfluidic devices used for separation techniques including membrane-based filtration, field-flow fractionation, electrophoresis, titration, and extraction. The principles behind each mechanism are explained, along with recent novel technologies for their application in various separation techniques. Furthermore, this review article highlights the capabilities of microfluidic systems to overcome various limitations of water purification integrated with photocatalytic techniques. The challenges and potential offered by photocatalytic microfluidic systems, such as the removal efficiency and selectivity of waste, and its contribution to sustainable commitment and the strategies to overcome these challenges are discussed, including numbering the microreactors, utilizing renewable energy to power the system, and customizing the specific microfluidic setup. © 2024 Elsevier Ltd