Study on the separation performance of the multi-channel reduced graphene oxide membranes

• Published in: Applied surface science 2016-10, Vol.384, p.279-286
• Main Authors: Zhao, Yongjiao, Li, Chun, Fan, Xiaoyan, Wang, Jiesheng, Yuan, Guang, Song, Xinxiang, Chen, Jing, Li, Zhangde
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Filtering; Filtration; Flux; Graphene; Membranes; Nanochannel; Nanostructure; Oxides; Reduced graphene oxide; Retention rate; Separation; Surface chemistry
• ISSN: 0169-4332; 1873-5584
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2016.05.036

The multi-channel reduction graphene oxide membranes with separation function have been synthesized by a simple hydrothermal reduction method. The size, number, and type of the nanochannels can be controlled by the reduced temperature. The nanochannels are attributed to the inter-sheet two-dimention nanochannels and in-plane nanopores by analyzing the change of the morphologies and chemical functional groups, and defects of rGO membranes. The flux and retention rate of solution are investigated by filtering different size dye molecules. [Display omitted] •The multi-channel reduction graphene oxide membranes with separation function have been synthesized by a simple hydrothermal reduction method.•The sizes of the nanochannels are successfully adjusted by hydrothermal reduction temperature. The nanochannels are attributed to the inter-sheet two-dimention nanochannels and in-plane nanopores by analyzing the change of the morphologies and chemical functional groups, and defects of rGO membranes.•The separation performance is investigated by filtering different size dye molecules. The multi-channel reduced graphene oxide membranes with separation function have been synthesized by a simple hydrothermal reduction method and vacuum filtration. In the as-synthesized membranes, the size, number, and type of the nanochannels can be controlled by the reduced temperature. The flux and retention rate of solution are investigated by filtering different size dye molecules. The interception and adsorption effect in the separation process are discussed. Furthermore, the sizes of the nanochannels in the membranes prepared by the different reduced temperatures are estimated. The results indicate that the multi-channel reduced graphene oxide membranes have potential application in water purification area.