A critical review of electromagnetic fields, ultrasound, and nanobubbles for membrane fouling control and cleaning: Mechanisms, applications, challenges and opportunities
A critical review of electromagnetic fields, ultrasound, and nanobubbles for membrane fouling control and cleaning: Mechanisms, applications, challenges and opportunities
Membrane technologies are increasingly pivotal in advancing the circular economy by enabling efficient water recovery and supporting stricter environmental regulations through the reduction of emerging pollutant emissions. However, membrane fouling remains a critical barrier to optimal performance, long-term durability, and sustainability. To overcome this challenge, physical treatment devices (PTDs) including magnetic fields (MFs), electric fields (EFs), electromagnetic fields (EMFs), ultrasound (US), and micro/nanobubbles (MNBs) have emerged as environmentally friendly and sustainable alternatives to conventional chemical cleaning. This review critically examines the current state of research on these physical treatments, particularly focusing on their distinct and shared fouling control mechanisms, integration into membrane system configurations, and practical applications. Based on mechanistic analysis, this review highlights the potential synergistic effects of combining two different PTDs to enhance cleaning efficacy, reduce chemical dependence, and lower energy demand. Notably, combinations such as EFs with MNBs or EFs with US have demonstrated substantial improvements in fouling control, however, other combined configurations such as EMFs or US with MNBs remain underexplored and need further investigation. Furthermore, this review outlines the current research limitations and identifies key directions for future investigation, particularly regarding biofouling, its interactions with other fouling types, fouling control mechanisms, system-level optimization, synergistic effects from combined PTDs and engineering applications. Addressing these knowledge gaps is essential to fully unlock the potential of physical treatment and advancing more efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective membrane-based water treatment solutions.
Water reclamation Wastewater treatment Magnetic fields Electric fields Synergistic effects Biofilm
1-21
Liu, Yong-Qiang
75adc6f8-aa83-484e-9e87-6c8442e344fa
Li, Yu-Qi
a46fe938-1976-49e1-a07c-1df9fca8e7eb
5 January 2026
Liu, Yong-Qiang
75adc6f8-aa83-484e-9e87-6c8442e344fa
Li, Yu-Qi
a46fe938-1976-49e1-a07c-1df9fca8e7eb
Liu, Yong-Qiang and Li, Yu-Qi
(2026)
A critical review of electromagnetic fields, ultrasound, and nanobubbles for membrane fouling control and cleaning: Mechanisms, applications, challenges and opportunities.
Desalination, 623 (119828), .
(doi:10.1016/j.desal.2025.119828).
Abstract
Membrane technologies are increasingly pivotal in advancing the circular economy by enabling efficient water recovery and supporting stricter environmental regulations through the reduction of emerging pollutant emissions. However, membrane fouling remains a critical barrier to optimal performance, long-term durability, and sustainability. To overcome this challenge, physical treatment devices (PTDs) including magnetic fields (MFs), electric fields (EFs), electromagnetic fields (EMFs), ultrasound (US), and micro/nanobubbles (MNBs) have emerged as environmentally friendly and sustainable alternatives to conventional chemical cleaning. This review critically examines the current state of research on these physical treatments, particularly focusing on their distinct and shared fouling control mechanisms, integration into membrane system configurations, and practical applications. Based on mechanistic analysis, this review highlights the potential synergistic effects of combining two different PTDs to enhance cleaning efficacy, reduce chemical dependence, and lower energy demand. Notably, combinations such as EFs with MNBs or EFs with US have demonstrated substantial improvements in fouling control, however, other combined configurations such as EMFs or US with MNBs remain underexplored and need further investigation. Furthermore, this review outlines the current research limitations and identifies key directions for future investigation, particularly regarding biofouling, its interactions with other fouling types, fouling control mechanisms, system-level optimization, synergistic effects from combined PTDs and engineering applications. Addressing these knowledge gaps is essential to fully unlock the potential of physical treatment and advancing more efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective membrane-based water treatment solutions.
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Accepted/In Press date: 29 December 2025
e-pub ahead of print date: 30 December 2025
Published date: 5 January 2026
Keywords:
Water reclamation Wastewater treatment Magnetic fields Electric fields Synergistic effects Biofilm
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Local EPrints ID: 508846
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/508846
ISSN: 0011-9164
PURE UUID: 6b2f44f3-fc94-4769-858a-68502953d7e4
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Date deposited: 04 Feb 2026 17:57
Last modified: 05 Feb 2026 02:45
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Yu-Qi Li
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