Recent Progress on the Development of Polyetheretherketone Membranes for Water Remediation

Industries containing excess acid or alkaline wastewater exacerbate water security. As a semi-crystalline engineering thermoplastic with superior chemical resistance, exceptional mechanical strength, and outstanding thermal stability, polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a promising candidate for advanced functional membranes in water remediation. Herein, we present a comprehensive overview of recent advances in PEEK materials, encompassing PEEK membrane fabrication, strategies for membrane hydrophilic modification, and applications in wastewater treatment. Specifically, research efforts have focused on membrane preparation methods such as nonsolvent-induced phase separation (NIPS), thermally induced phase separation (TIPS), and chemical-induced crystallization (CIC), which aim to address the critical challenge of forming solvent-resistant PEEK membranes while maintaining membrane performance. Additionally, various hydrophilic modification strategies (pretreatment, co-blending, and post-treatment) for PEEK membranes are discussed to alleviate membrane fouling problems, with in-depth discussions of diverse applications in wastewater treatment (such as the removal and purification of synthetic dyes, organic solvents, natural organic matter removal, and oil–water mixture). The review concludes with an emphasis on the current challenges and potential of PEEK membrane for wastewater treatment.