Facile hydrophilic chitosan and graphene oxide modified sustainable non-woven fabric composite sieve membranes (NWF@Cs/Gx): Antifouling, protein rejection, and oil-water emulsion separation studies

Over the last few decades, antifouling, protein rejection, and oil-water separations have become a challenge to technologists and environmentalists. In view of this, the proposed work reports formulation, characterization of facile hydrophilic chitosan-graphene oxide modified sustainable non-woven fabric-based sieve membranes (NWF@Cs/Gx) along with their application for antifouling, protein rejection, and multigrade oil-water emulsions separation studies. The surface morphology, diameter size of the fibers, and elemental analysis of the same were characterized with high-resolution microscopes (SEM), EDAX, and spectroscopically. The hydrophilicity of these membranes was investigated using contact angle and water uptake studies that exhibited pure water flux up to 165 L.m(-2).h(-1). These studies further confirmed the multigrade oil/water emulsions separation with 98% efficiency and more than 96% protein (Bovine Serum Albumin) rejection. These studies suggest that the formulated membranes may find application in the field of environmental, biological, and petroleum-based industries.(c) 2022 Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study proposes a novel hydrophilic chitosan-graphene oxide modified non-woven fabric sieve membrane and characterizes its properties. The results show that the membrane exhibits excellent antifouling, protein rejection, and oil-water separation capabilities, making it potential for applications in the environmental, biological, and petroleum industries.