Optimization of carboxylated graphene oxide (C-GO) content in polymer matrix: Synthesis, characterization, and application study

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) 2023-01, Vol.310, p.136900-136900, Article 136900
• Main Authors: Rehan, Zulfiqar Ahmad, Zahid, Muhammad, Kanwal, Sidra, Nadeem, Nimra, Hafeez, Asif, Jamil, Asif, Zubair, Zakariya
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Carboxylated graphene oxide; Dye removal; Membrane technology; Polysulfone; Water permeability
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.136900

Carboxylated graphene oxide (C-GO) embedded in polysulfone (PSF) membrane composites were prepared with different wt. % (i.e., 0.2% M − 1, 0.3% M − 2, 0.4% M − 3, and 0.5% M − 4) using non-solvent induced phase separation (NIPS) method and ultrafiltration assembly was applied for the removal of dye effluents. The optimization of C-GO content into polymer matrix was found influencing factor in determining the composite membranes efficiency and application in various research fields. The membranes were characterized in terms of surface morphology (SEM), crystallinity (XRD), and functional groups identification (FTIR). The water permeability of the developed membranes was analyzed, and it is observed that increasing the content of C-GO in PSF membranes imposed a positive impact on permeation performance. M − 3 was found to be a potential candidate among all the membranes with a maximum water flux of about 183 LMH which is considerably higher as compared to the pristine PSF membrane's water flux (i.e., 27 LMH). Moreover, contact angle measurements of membranes were also checked to assess the hydrophilicity of PSF membranes. The results of contact angle also support the water permeability and efficient correlation was observed as contact angle decreases with increasing the content of C-GO. The minimum contact angle with excellent hydrophilicity was shown by the M − 3 membrane and it was found of about ±58.19° and this value is close to the M − 4 membrane having maximum C-GO content. The photocatalytic performance of the M − 3 membrane was checked under UV-254 nm using methylene blue dye and 97% dye removal was achieved within 220 min of reaction time under neutral pH conditions. The M − 3 membrane having C-GO content of 0.4% was found to be the best membrane with high pure water flux (183 LMH) and efficient dye rejection (82%) capability. [Display omitted] •Composite membranes comprising of carboxylated graphene oxide and polysulfone.•Formation of membranes via non-solvent phase separation method.•Optimization of carboxylated graphene oxide is the influencing factor.•Improvement in water flux and dye rejection performance.