Ibrahim Maina Idriss, Zubair Hashmi, Norazanita Shamsuddin, Muhammad Saifullah Abu Bakar, Yusuf Wibisono, Nasrul Arahman, Sri Mulyati, Asim Laeeq Khan, Muhammad Roil Bilad
Tannic acid (TA), a naturally abundant plant polyphenol, has emerged as a versatile and sustainable modifier in membrane technologies. Due to its rich phenolic content, metal-coordinating ability, and mild redox reactivity, TA enables effective membrane functionalization for applications such as water purification, nanofiltration, and antifouling. This review summarizes recent developments (2020–2025) in TA-integrated membrane fabrication methods, including co-deposition, metal–phenolic network (MPN) formation, and organic–inorganic hybridization, and their impact on surface hydrophilicity, charge, and fouling resistance. Mechanistic insights highlight TA's interactions through hydrogen bonding, π–π stacking, metal chelation, and covalent bonding. Performance enhancements in oil–water separation, dye removal, and selective nanofiltration are discussed, with TA-based membranes achieving high water flux (exceeding 690 Lm−2 h−1), pollutant rejection rates above 99 %, and excellent fouling recovery. Recent advancements in photothermal integration and AI-assisted membrane design further expand their potential in solar desalination and smart separation systems. Environmental and economic evaluations support the industrial viability of TA-modified membranes due to their natural origin, low toxicity, and scalable processing. This review provides a comprehensive overview of TA's role in membrane science and outlines key challenges, including coating durability and performance under complex feed conditions, to guide future innovations in sustainable separation technologies. © 2025
Faculty of Integrated Technologies, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Jalan Tungku Link, BE1410, Brunei Darussalam; Department of Bioprocess Engineering, Universitas Brawijaya, Jl. Veteran Malang, 65145, Indonesia; Department of Chemical Engineering, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Jl. Syeh A. Rauf, No. 7, Banda Aceh, 23111, Indonesia; Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Islamic University of Madinah, Madinah, 42351, Saudi Arabia; Faculty of Applied Science and Education, Universitas Pendidikan Mandalika, Jl. Pemuda No 59A, Mataram, 83126, Indonesia
