Abstract
Emergence of membrane technology for effective performance is qualified due to its low energy consumption, no use of chemicals, high removal capacity and easy accessibility of membrane material. The hydrophobic nature of polymeric membranes limits their applications due to biofouling (assemblage of microorganisms on surface of membrane). Polymeric nanocomposite membranes emerge to alleviate this issue. The current research work was concerned with the fabrication of sulfonated graphene oxide doped polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane and investigation of its anti-biofouling and anti-bacterial behavior. The membrane was fabricated through phase inversion method, and its structure and morphology were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-rays diffraction (XRD) and thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) techniques. Performance of the membrane was evaluated via pure water flux; anti-biofouling behavior was determined through Bovine Serum albumin (BSA) rejection. Our results revealed that the highest water flux was shown by M7 membrane about 308.7 Lm−2h−1/bar having (0.5%) concentration of SGO with improved BSA rejection. Furthermore, these fabricated membranes showed high antibacterial activity, more hydrophilicity and mechanical strength as compared to pristine PVDF membranes. It was concluded that SGO addition within PVDF polymer matrix enhanced the properties and performance of membranes. Therefore, SGO was found to be a promising material for the fabrication of nanocomposite membranes.
Highlights
Water is the primary need for the existence of life on earth
Subsequent to reduction and sulfonization, the peaks present at 1060 cm−1, 1250 cm−1, and 1365 cm−1 are critically attenuated in the sulfonated graphene oxide (SGO) plot
The M7 exhibits the highest rejection of salts as compared to other nanocomposite membranes. These results showed that the nanocomposite membrane can be utilized for salt rejection from sea water desalination [24]
Summary
Water is the primary need for the existence of life on earth. Rapid developments in industries have underprivileged the basic human right of accessing fresh water by polluting underground and surface water assets. Desalination of sea water and wastewater treatment technologies have been developed to produce fresh water to fulfill human needs [3]. For the last few decades, membrane-based separation techniques have been proven to be the most effective process for pre-treatment of sea water due to its low energy requirements, ease of operation, high removal capacity, cost effectiveness, high productivity, no phase changing and easy scaling-up. These features make the membrane technology more demanding for desalination and purification of protein solutions [4]. Biofouling is the cake layer formation due to accumulation of proteins, bacteria and other organic materials on the surface of the membrane [9] which decreases the water flux of the membrane [10]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
