Mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) have gained increasingly importance due to their ability to combine the features of the aforementioned membrane materials, offering better solutions in terms of performance, fouling, permeate quality and longevity Enhanced membrane performance could be achieved by tuning their physicochemical properties and introducing unique functionalities via addition of novel nanomaterials and intelligent design of advanced nanocomposite membranes for attainment of exceptionally permselective materials and antiwetting/antifouling property, which is highly beneficial for advancing emerging technology like Membrane distillation (MD) and Forward osmosis (FO) for desalination and wastewater treatment. In our recent works, we have explored a range of different dimensional nanomaterials including metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), graphene oxide, Mxene, CNT and their influence on the physiochemical properties, morphologies and micro/nano structures of the nanocomposite membrane. We report here how the incorporation of these nanomaterials with various properties modifies the membrane micro/nano-structure, surface property and separation performance of nanocomposite membranes to achieve the enhanced separation efficiency for wastewater treatment. Strategy for making hydrophobic/hydrophilic dual layer MD membranes and interlayered FO membranes using 2D materials are also discussed. The membranes were subject to industrial wastewater treatment and its integrated process for treating real wastewater like textile wastewater and landfill leachate. The membranes exhibited high water recovery (>90%) while demonstrating excellent robustness and integrity, showing great potential for practical application of applying the emerging membrane technologies in treating wastewater to enhance water recovery towards circular economy.