Innovative Physical and Chemical Strategies for the Modification and Development of Polymeric Microfiltration Membranes—A Review

Polymeric microfiltration membranes are among the most utilized pressure-driven membranes due to their excellent permeation flux, moderate removal efficiency, low operating pressure, low cost, as well as their potential for reusability and cleanability. Therefore, these membranes are used in different crucial sectors, including the water and wastewater, dairy, beverage, and pharmaceutical industries. However, well-known polymeric microfiltration membranes suffer from their poor hydrophilic properties, causing fouling phenomenon. A reduction in permeate flux, a shortened operational lifespan, and increased energy consumption are the primary negative consequences of membrane fouling. Over the years, a broad spectrum of studies has been performed to modify polymeric microfiltration membranes to improve their hydrophilic, transport, and antifouling characteristics. Despite extensive research, this issue remains a subject of ongoing discussion and scrutiny within the scientific community. This review article provides promising information about different physical and chemical modification methods—such as polymer blending, the incorporation of nanomaterials, surface coating, chemical crosslinking, in situ nanoparticle immobilization, and chemical surface functionalization—for polymeric microfiltration membranes. The physical and chemical modification methods are comparatively evaluated, highlighting their positive and negative aspects, supported by findings from recent investigations. Moreover, promising ideas and future-oriented techniques were proposed to obtain polymeric microfiltration membranes containing superior efficiency, extended service life, and mechanical strength.