Synergetic effect of graphene oxide and poly(MMA-co-GMA) copolymer on PSF ultrafiltration membrane for the remediation of potential environmental contaminants

Designing of nanotextured inorganic-organic hybrid PVDF membrane for efficient separation of the oil-in-water emulsions

The separation of the emulsified oil/water is one of the critical environmental challenges. The PVDF membranes have been found helpful for separation, but rapid fouling makes them less attractive in treating oil-in-water emulsions. The design of antifouling membranes has become an area of deep interest. Herein, developing a novel modified PVDF ultrafiltration membrane was reported by doping the pyrrole and solidifying it in a ferric-containing coagulation bath, resulting in a unique nanotextured PVDF membrane (CCB-Fe/PP_np-PVDF) to separate the oil/water emulsions. The resultant CCB-Fe/PP_np-PVDF membrane was thoroughly characterized using the FTIR, FE-SEM, EDX, mapping, AFM, and contact analyzer. The hydrophilicity of the CCB-Fe/PP_np-PVDF was substantially improved, and the water contact angle was reduced from 81֯ ± 0.9֯ to 44֯ ± 1.7֯. The CCB-Fe/PPnp-PVDF membrane flux increased by 121% compared to the pristine PVDF membrane, with high separation efficiency of 99%. The hydrophilic nanotextured surface of the CCB-Fe/PP_np-PVDF membrane showed good antifouling behavior, with a flux recovery ratio (FRR) of more than 96%. Irreversible flux was just less than 4%. The high flux recovery ratio indicated that the nanotextured surface produced by the Fe/PP_np had prevented the blockage of the membrane pores and compact cake layer formation, which makes it an excellent membrane for oil/water emulsion separation. This strategy can be adopted for designing advanced membranes for separation applications.

Graphene based composite membranes for environmental toxicology remediation, critical approach towards environmental management

Graphene-based composite membranes, as laminated, stacked, and assembled architectures of graphene, have surpassed other conventional membranes with their advanced and preeminent structural specialization and potential use in a wide range of sustainable and environmental applications. The characteristic membrane features such as distinct laminar morphology, tailored physicochemical properties, as well as extraordinary molecular properties have fascinated scientists. Due to remarkable mechanical properties, these membranes can be easily fabricated. Recent progress has been achieved by graphene and its derivatives-based membranes to purify water and gases for environmental remediation. This review explained the latest and groundbreaking advances in chemical design, fabrication, and application of graphene-based membranes. Special attention is paid to the recent developments on graphene-based composites into membranes with various forms: free-standing, layered, and graphene-based nanocomposite membranes. Furthermore, a unique approach on environmental management with as-fabricated membranes is provided by discussing the effect of physicochemical properties. Consequently, their full-scale use for environmental management, water purification, gas purification, and biological treatments will pave the way for their promising features and realize their future prospects.