Next-generation membranes for verapamil removal: Graphene oxide quantum dot-modified polyethersulfone membranes

• Published in: Colloids and surfaces. A, Physicochemical and engineering aspects Vol. 697; p. 134332
• Main Authors: Chiang, Amelia Kar Mun, Ng, Law Yong, Ng, Ching Yin, Mahmoudi, Ebrahim, Lim, Ying Pei, Mah, Shee Keat
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 20.09.2024
• Subjects: Antibacterial; Graphene oxide; Membrane; Quantum dot; Verapamil; Verapamil; Membrane; Quantum dot; Graphene oxide; Antibacterial
• ISSN: 0927-7757; 1873-4359
• DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2024.134332

The presence of verapamil in water sources has gained attention due to its potential risks to ecosystems and human health. Because of its great separation performance and simplicity of integration into existing treatment processes, membrane filtration could be a viable alternative. Polyethersulfone (PES) membrane is usually employed for filtration processes due to its good mechanical and thermal stability. However, pristine PES membrane exhibits low flux and lower fouling properties due to its poor antibacterial properties. Thus, the phase inversion approach was used in the current study to develop graphene oxide quantum dots (GOQDs)-modified PES ultrafiltration (UF) membranes with varying quantities of GOQDs loading (0.01–0.07 wt%). With 0.03 wt% GOQDs, the PES composite membrane exhibited a water flux of 75.23 ±10.43 L/m2 h with a verapamil retention capability of 80.36%. All the modified PES membranes containing GOQDs exhibited the formation of inhibition zones, with PES-0.07 membranes (21.00 mm) showing more pronounced zones. The incorporation of GOQDs proved to be a promising and sustainable approach for modifying PES membranes, enhancing their flux, rejection performance, and antibacterial properties, which could be beneficial in removing pharmaceutical compounds from aqueous solution. [Display omitted] •PES-GOQDs membranes were successfully fabricated using a phase inversion approach.•The prepared membrane can effectively separate verapamil foulant from aqueous solutions.•The GOQDs improve the membrane's hydrophilicity, porosity, and permeability.•The PES-GOQDs membrane displayed excellent antibacterial properties.