The synergistic effect of graphene oxide and POSS in mixed matrix membranes for desalination

Abstract

The effect of Graphene Oxide (GO) and POSS nanoparticles on the Reverse Osmosis (RO) desalination performance of Mixed Matrix Membranes (MMMs) was investigated experimentally. Cellulose Acetate (CA) nanocomposite membranes with different GO and POSS contents were prepared by the phase inversion method. The Response Surface Method (RSM) was used to evaluate interactions between the main parameters and to optimize the performance of the membrane. A Box-Behnken Design (BBD) analysis was carried out for the simultaneous increase of salt rejection and permeation flux, and optimal GO and POSS concentrations and operating pressure were obtained at 0.005 wt% and 0.75 wt%, and 19.2 atm. The membrane was prepared and tested under optimal conditions, and a permeation flux of 13.65 l/m2.h and salt rejection of 77.83% was achieved which were in good agreement with the estimated results (12.95 l/m2.h and 79.94%). Consequently, BBD optimization within the range of experimental parameters can be employed as a reliable method for predicting the desalination performance of CA/GO/POSS membrane.