Tailored design of nanofiltration membrane for endocrine disrupting compounds removal: Mechanisms, current advancements, and future perspectives

Endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs), even at trace concentrations, pose serious threats to human health by interfering with endocrine system functions. Traditional remediation methods, such as biodegradation and chemical oxidation, are often inefficient and risk generating harmful by-products. Nanofiltration (NF) membrane technology has emerged as a cutting-edge solution, combining high efficiency, precision selectivity, and environmental sustainability. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the factors influencing EDCs removal, beginning with the physicochemical properties of EDCs and their impact on NF membrane performance. Key separation mechanisms including size exclusion, charge repulsion, and adsorption are explored alongside the effects of solution chemistry and operational conditions. The review then delves into systematic strategies to enhance EDCs rejection, including regulation of uniform pore size distribution, modification of membrane surface charge, fabrication of hydrophilic membrane surface, and construction of selective nanochannels. By addressing current challenges and proposing future research directions, this review aims to inspire breakthroughs in NF membrane technology. Overall, it underscores the critical need for effective and sustainable solutions to safeguard water quality and public health in the face of rising EDCs contamination.