Polydopamine-coated graphene oxide nanosheets embedded in sulfonated poly(ether sulfone) hybrid UF membranes with superior antifouling properties for water treatment

A novel high-performance hybrid ultrafiltration (UF) membrane was fabricated by blending polydopamine-coated graphene oxide (PDGO) nanosheets with sulfonated poly(ether sulfone) (SPES) via phase inversion method and tested for the removal of natural organic matter (humic acid; HA) from aqueous solution. The PDGO nanosheets were synthesized via self-polymerization of dopamine with GO nanosheets in alkaline tris-buffer solution at room temperature for 24 h and were fully characterized. Hybrid SPES membranes were prepared by incorporating 1-10 wt% of PDGO, which were further characterized by Raman spectroscopy, surface zeta potential, and field emission scanning electron microscopy to confirm membrane stability without any defects even by adding up to 10 wt%, of PDGO nanosheets. The membranes demonstrated a significant increase in hydrophilicity, water flux, and retention rate for HA (R-HA). For instance, water permeability with 5 wt% PDGO (M5) (680.7 L m(-2) h(-1) bar(-1)) was ca. 1.8-folds that of the pristine SPES membrane (380.8 L m(-2) h(-1) bar(-1)), while maintaining an HA rejection (R-HA) of 91.7% for a 50 ppm HA feed solution. This was accompanied by a distinct increase in surface hydrophilicity of M5, which showed a water contact angle of 27.8 & DEG;, well below that of pristine SPES membrane (59.1 & DEG;). The hybrid UF membranes also demonstrated a significant reduction in HA adhesion onto the membrane surface along with a superior antifouling performance for the membrane containing 10 wt% PDGO, giving irreversible fouling ratio (R-ir) of only 6.9% compared to 32.7% for the pristine membrane.

Automated summary

A novel high-performance hybrid ultrafiltration (UF) membrane, fabricated by blending polydopamine-coated graphene oxide (PDGO) nanosheets with sulfonated poly(ether sulfone) (SPES), showed significant improvement in hydrophilicity, water flux, and retention rate for natural organic matter (humic acid; HA) removal. The membrane also exhibited superior antifouling performance and reduced adhesion of HA onto the membrane surface.