Laminar reduced graphene oxide membrane modified with silver nanoparticle-polydopamine for water/ion separation and biofouling resistance enhancement

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Laminar graphene oxide (GO) membranes with excellent water permeability have demonstrated great potential in the field of membrane-based water purification. However, low ion rejection and controversy over their biofouling propensity are hurdles GO membranes face in realizing commercial applications. This study shows that silver nanoparticle (nAg)@polydopamine (pDA) deposition on chemically reduced GO (rGO) laminates can simultaneously enhance both biofouling resistance and ion rejection. In pressurized filtration tests, the salt rejection of nAg@pDA-rGO membranes outperformed that of GO membranes despite its lowered water permeability. In osmotic filtration tests, nAg@pDA-rGO membranes achieved an increased water flux of 28.9LMH and reduced reverse solute flux of 0.21mol/m<SUP>2</SUP>·h, compared to GO membranes. Moreover, extremely low cell attachment and viability were seen on the nAg@pDA-rGO membrane, confirming the excellent antibiofouling ability of nAg-pDA-rGO membranes.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Fouling resistance and ion selectivity of GO membranes were improved. </LI> <LI> Enhanced ion selectivity by reduction of laminar GO layer. </LI> <LI> Increased fouling resistance by coating silver nanoparticle-polydopamine layer. </LI> <LI> Performance of GO membranes were assessed under hydraulic and osmotic pressure. </LI> <LI> Fouling resistance of GO membranes were evaluated. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>