Advancing Functionalized Track-Etched Membranes: Composite and Hybrid Materials through the JINR–South Africa Partnership

Abstract

Track-etched polymer membranes (TeMs) are precision porous materials widely applied in water purification, sensing, and catalysis. However, their practical use is limited by hydrophobicity, fouling, and lack of functional activity. The purpose of this review is to synthesize the outcomes of the long-standing collaboration between South African institutions and the Flerov Laboratory of Nuclear Reactions of the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research in Dubna, Russia (FLNR, JINR), highlighting their contribution to overcoming these challenges. The objective is to present a focused survey of advances in TeMs functionalization, contextualized within global progress, and to assess their implications for applied membrane science. The methodology involved a structured literature survey (2007–2025) across Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, combined with critical evaluation of collaborative outputs. Emphasis was placed on peer-reviewed studies of metal sputtering, chemical grafting, and electrospun nanofiber composites. Results indicate that these approaches improve TeMs performance by enhancing hydrophilicity, mechanical stability, and catalytic or sensing functionality. Case studies include Ti/TiO2 coatings for self-cleaning membranes, silver/gold nanoparticle-modified TeMs for surfaceenhanced Raman spectroscopy, and nanofiber/TeMs hybrids for pollutant adsorption. In conclusion, the JINR — South Africa partnership demonstrates how targeted international collaboration can deliver impactful technologies. Future research should prioritize stimuli-responsive “smart” membranes, MOF-integrated hybrids, and roll-to-roll scale-up for industrial deployment.