Recent Advances in Fluorine-Free Membranes

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are versatile compounds found in a wide range of products. Their properties—such as chemical resistance, thermal stability, water and oil repellence, low friction, electrical insulation, and durability—have led to their extensive use across various industries. However, despite these benefits, the persistence and potential health and environmental risks associated with PFASs have led to increased scrutiny and efforts to find safer alternatives. Growing environmental awareness and regulatory pressure have prompted the active development of fluorine-free alternatives, thereby facilitating advances in membrane technology. Fluorine-free membranes offer versatility and sustainability, adhering to environmental safety regulations while ensuring safe and clean processing without compromising performance and durability. Their unique properties have led to their increased adoption in water treatment, chemical and pharmaceutical industries, food and beverage production, and energy conversion devices. This Special Issue aims to collect contributions on the most recent advances in the field of fluorine-free membrane materials, and it invites reviews, critical reviews, perspectives, methods, and original research articles on the following topics: (i) the design and synthesis of novel fluorine-free membranes with enhanced properties, (ii) characterization and modeling of physicochemical properties, (iii) comparison with state-of-the-art PFASs, (iv) degradation and stability studies, (v) use in water treatment technologies, and (vi) application in energy conversion devices.