A mussel-inspired method to fabricate a novel reduced graphene oxide/Bi12O17Cl2 composites membrane for catalytic degradation and oil/water separation

In this study, a novel dopamine modified graphene-based photocatalytic membrane with Bi12O17Cl2 inserted was fabricated to modify the commercial cellulose acetate membrane via vacuum filtration method. Results showed the reduced graphene oxide (RGO)/poly(dopamine) (PDA)/Bi12O17Cl2-CA photocatalytic composite membrane exhibited 98% removal efficiency for methylene blue (MB) within 100 minutes and 96% removal efficiency for 4-CP within 160 minutes. Importantly, the photocatalytic composite membrane can simultaneously achieve dye degradation and oil-water separation in only one device within a short time. And the as-prepared membrane displayed great antifouling performance and recyclability after 10 cycles. Meanwhile, the membrane showed excellent stability in the agitated water bath or different pH conditions. In summary, the photocatalytic membrane investigated in this study opens new avenue for treatment of wastewater.