Graphene oxide, an effective nanoadditive for a development of hollow fiber nanocomposite membrane with antifouling properties

Abstract

A series of hollow fiber (HF) membranes made from nanocomposites of polyethersulfone (PES) and graphene oxide (GO) at GO concentrations of 0.2%, 0.5%, and 1.0% were prepared by the dry-wet spinning process. The structure and the properties of as-prepared HF membranes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM); atomic force microscopy (AFM); measurements of contact angle, zeta potential, molecular weight cut-off (MWCO), and porosity; thermogravimetric analysis (TGA); and tensile testing. Long-term filtration tests were performed with the proteins bovine serum albumin (BSA), pepsin, trypsin, and lysozyme, which are common model organic foulants used in membrane fouling studies. The results showed that HF membrane made from PES/GO nanocomposite dope had a water permeability of 30 ± 1.5 Lm −2 hr −1 bar −1 , which is an increase of approximately 36% compared to that of a PES HF membrane. Among the membranes containing GO, the membrane with a 0.5 wt% GO loading exhibited the best antifouling performance, that is, this membrane recovered more than approximately 96% of its initial pure water flux, demonstrating a high resistance to the irreversible fouling. In addition, the same membrane showed an improvement in MWCO, an approximately 15% increase in porosity, along with optimum mechanical and thermal properties. K E Y W O R D Santifouling property, graphene oxide, hollow fiber membrane, nanocomposite

Investigation of electric field‐aligned edge‐oxidized graphene oxide nanoplatelets in polyethersulfone matrix in terms of pure water permeation and dye rejection

“…Comparing this step to that of PES/EOGO nanocomposite in the same graph (from 509°C to 607°C with 34% weight loss), an enhancement in thermal stability of the polymer was observed with introduction of these EOGO nanoplatelets even at low contents which led to a milder and posterior polymer degradation, eventually. The overall thermal behavior and trends are correspondent to those reported elsewhere 90,91 …”

“…In addition, incorporation of 0.1 wt% EOGO in the polymer had slightly improved the negative zeta potential which may be assigned to the dissociation of the oxygen functional groups (pH = 5–6) of the nanocomposites, a number of which could position at the surface of the films; thus, combination of these two effects (hydrophobic polymer surface plus oxygen groups presence) could give rise to a more negative final zeta potential of the nanocomposite than pure PES. Such an increase was also observed for PES/EOGO 0.5 wt%, which is probably due to the increase in oxygen groups existent at the surface with rising the EOGO content 15,91 . While, according to the zeta potentials values obtained for some electric field‐treated specimens, higher values for H1000 PES/EOGO 0.1 wt% and 0.5 wt% samples than their NOF counterparts, respectively, and also than the vertical sample in case of 0.5 wt%, represents the presence of more negative charges distributed on the surface with regard to application of horizontal electric fields; it may explain that more functional groups were delivered to the surface from the edges of the nanoplatelets located at the upper layers in case of horizontal field employment.…”

Fabrication of Gum Arabic-Graphene (GGA) Modified Polyphenylsulfone (PPSU) Mixed Matrix Membranes: A Systematic Evaluation Study for Ultrafiltration (UF) Applications

“…A vast literature has reported extraordinary enhancements in hydrophilicity, chemical and thermal stability, permeability, porosity, and mechanical characteristics of these nanocomposite membranes. Indeed, they are believed to bestow tremendous opportunities for the future of water treatment applications [ 9 , 10 , 11 ]. However, it should be noted that in certain circumstances, impregnation of these nanomaterials on the surface or within the polymeric matrices may arise serious issues in the process and environment.…”

Molybdenum Disulfide Surfaces to Reduce Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilm Formation

“…MoS 2SUR potentially has inherent antifouling properties, better than those of other materials such as graphene oxide due to its surface properties. MoS 2SUR and MoS 2PAR are composed of a monolayer of molybdenum atoms that are between parallel sulfur atom layers which are held together loosely by van der Waals forces. , MoS 2SUR has unique physicochemical and mechanical properties, with a lowered amount of functional groups. , MoS 2SUR also have extremely low friction coefficients which means that fouling is likely to be lowered on such substrates . Thus, the use of such surfaces as antifouling materials may result due to their surface and antifrictional properties.…”