Abstract
Recently, 3-dimensional membrane capsules (3-D MCs) have attracted great attention and have been frequently utilized for removal of the environmental pollutants due to their plentiful oxygen-containing/hydrophilic functional groups, wide operational pH range, desired morphology and higher selectivity against targeted contaminants. Moreover, potentially toxic metals and refractory organic pollutants have been successfully eliminated by encapsulating 2-D materials, chemical oxidants, chelating agents/resins and a variety of enzymes into 3 D MCs. Therefore, this review is the first attempt to emphasize the recent developments in the synthesis modulations of 3-D MCs and factors affecting their fabrication relationship with performance, and removal mechanisms of various pollutants by 3-D MCs. Further, the barriers to the marketing and transfer of 3-D MC based remediation technologies from laboratory to commercial applications are also discussed. Finally, the research gaps and their prospects are also debated to open new windows of research and practical application of 3-D MCs.