Thin‐Film Nanocomposite Nanofiltration Membranes Incorporated with Graphene Oxide for Phosphorus Removal

• Published in: Chemical engineering & technology Vol. 41; no. 2; pp. 319 - 326
• Main Authors: Koo, Chai Hoon, Lau, Woei Jye, Lai, Gwo Sung, Lai, Soon Onn, Thiam, Hui San, Ismail, Ahmad Fauzi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Frankfurt Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.02.2018
• Subjects: Flux; Graphene; Hydrophilicity; Membranes; Nanocomposites; Nanofiltration; Phosphorus; Phosphorus removal; Pore size; Porosity; Rejection; Thin films; Thin‐film nanocomposite membrane; Wastewater treatment
• ISSN: 0930-7516; 1521-4125
• DOI: 10.1002/ceat.201700357

For the first time, thin‐film nanocomposite (TFN) nanofiltration membranes incorporated with graphene oxide (GO) were synthesized and used to separate phosphorus from water sources of varying properties. Prior to phosphorus removal tests, two different TFN membranes and one control thin‐film composite (TFC) membrane were subject to standard characterization in order to determine pure water flux, salt rejection, surface hydrophilicity, pore size, and porosity. By incorporation of GO, the water flux of composite membranes could be significantly improved with minimum decrease in salt rejection, mainly due to improved surface hydrophilicity coupled with enlarged pore size and overall structural porosity. Especially the TFN‐1 membrane was found to perform better owing to its good combination of water flux and solute rejection, higher water flux, and comparable phosphorus rejection in comparison to the TFC membrane. Conventional thin‐film composite membranes suffering from limited lifespans due to high fouling propensity can be improved by modifying the thin layer with hydrophilic nanoparticles. The production of thin‐film nanocomposite membranes with incorporated graphene oxide can save time and cost, working well in both water flux and phosphorus rejection with enhanced separation performance.