Sulfate scaling, as insoluble inorganic sulfate deposits, can cause serious operational problems in various industries, such as blockage of membrane pores and subsurface media and impairment of equipment functionality. There is limited article to bridge sulfate formation mechanisms with field scaling control practice. This article reviews the molecular-level interfacial reactions and thermodynamic basis controlling homogeneous and heterogeneous sulfate mineral nucleation and growth through classical and non-classical pathways. Common sulfate scaling control strategies were also reviewed, including pretreatment, chemical inhibition and surface modification. Furthermore, efforts were made to link the fundamental theories with industrial scale control practices. Effects of common inhibitors on different steps of sulfate formation pathways (i.e., ion pair and cluster formation, nucleation, and growth) were thoroughly discussed. Surface modifications to industrial facilities and membrane units were clarified as controlling either the deposition of homogeneous precipitates or the heterogeneous nucleation. Future research directions in terms of optimizing sulfate chemical inhibitor design and improving surface modifications are also discussed. This article aims to keep the readers abreast of the latest development in mechanistic understanding and control strategies of sulfate scale formation and to bridge knowledge developed in interfacial chemistry with engineering practice.

硫酸盐结垢作为不溶性无机硫酸盐沉积物，会在各个行业中引起严重的操作问题，例如膜孔和地下介质的堵塞以及设备功能的损害。将硫酸盐形成机制与现场结垢控制实践联系起来的文章有限。本文回顾了通过经典和非经典途径控制均质和非均质硫酸盐矿物成核和生长的分子级界面反应和热力学基础。还回顾了常见的硫酸盐结垢控制策略，包括预处理、化学抑制和表面改性。此外，努力将基础理论与工业规模控制实践联系起来。常见抑制剂对硫酸盐形成途径不同步骤的影响（即，离子对和簇的形成、成核和生长）进行了深入讨论。工业设施和膜单元的表面改性被阐明为控制均质沉淀物的沉积或异质成核。还讨论了在优化硫酸盐化学抑制剂设计和改进表面改性方面的未来研究方向。本文旨在让读者了解硫酸盐垢形成的机理理解和控制策略的最新进展，并将界面化学方面的知识与工程实践联系起来。工业设施和膜单元的表面改性被阐明为控制均质沉淀物的沉积或异质成核。还讨论了在优化硫酸盐化学抑制剂设计和改进表面改性方面的未来研究方向。本文旨在让读者了解硫酸盐垢形成的机理理解和控制策略的最新进展，并将界面化学方面的知识与工程实践联系起来。工业设施和膜单元的表面改性被阐明为控制均质沉淀物的沉积或异质成核。还讨论了在优化硫酸盐化学抑制剂设计和改进表面改性方面的未来研究方向。本文旨在让读者了解硫酸盐垢形成的机理理解和控制策略的最新进展，并将界面化学方面的知识与工程实践联系起来。