Sulfonated graphene oxide-based pervaporation membranes inspired by a tortuous brick and mortar structure for enhanced resilience against silica scaling and organic fouling
Fareed H. Jang K. Lee W. Kim I.S. Han S.
June 2023Elsevier Ltd
Chemosphere
2023#326
A novel tortuous brick-and-mortar structure utilizing intercalation of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) on sulfonated graphene oxide (SGO) membranes was specifically tailored for brine treatment by pervaporation to ensure excessive resistance to silica scaling and organic fouling, as well as ultrafast water transport without compromising salt rejection. The synthesized SGO membrane showed a smoother surface morphology, improved zeta potential, and a higher hydration capacity than the graphene oxide (GO) membrane. Further intercalation of PVA through glutaraldehyde (GA) crosslinking, confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis, conferred increased cohesiveness, and the SGO-PVA-GA membrane was therefore able to withstand ultrasonication tests without any erosion of the coating layer. According to a pervaporative desalination test, the SGO-PVA-GA membrane exhibited 62 kg m−2 h−1 of permeate flux, with an extraordinary salt rejection of 99.99% for a 10 wt% NaCl feed solution at 65 °C. The 72 h organic fouling, silica scaling, and combined fouling and scaling tests proved that the SGO-PVA-GA membrane sustains a stable flux with less scaling and fouling than the GO-PVA-GA membrane, attributable to dense surface negative charges and great hydration capacities caused by sulfonic acid. Thus, the SGO-PVA-GA membrane offers superlative advantages for long-term brine treatment by pervaporation, related to its ability to withstand silica scaling and organic fouling.
Desalination , Organic fouling , Pervaporation , Silica scaling , Sulfonated graphene oxide
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School of Earth Sciences and Environmental Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju, 61005, South Korea
Research Center for Innovative Energy and Carbon Optimized Synthesis for Chemicals (Inn-ECOSysChem), Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju, 61005, South Korea
Global Desalination Research Center, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju, 61005, South Korea
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, 53 Kabanbay Batyr Ave., Astana, 010000, Kazakhstan
School of Earth Sciences and Environmental Engineering
Research Center for Innovative Energy and Carbon Optimized Synthesis for Chemicals (Inn-ECOSysChem)
Global Desalination Research Center
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
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