Graphene-Based Ultrafiltration Membranes for Separation: Synthesis and Applications

Title:Graphene-Based Ultrafiltration Membranes for Separation: Synthesis and Applications

Volume: 12 Issue: 1

Author(s): Xu Zhang, Zehai Xu, Ling Wang, Xinyan Wang, Yong Zeng and Guoliang Zhang*

Affiliation:

• Institute of Oceanic and Environmental Chemical Engineering, State Key Lab Breeding Base of Green Chemical Synthesis Technology, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014,China

Keywords: Graphene-based materials, ultrafiltration, membrane separation, water treatment, antibacterial efficiency, pollution.

Abstract: Background: Water treatment, important for maintaining clean water among other applications, is still a challenge to improve remediation technologies for eliminating pollution. Ultrafiltration, as one kind of membrane separation processes which play a vital role in water treatment, has been attracted extensive attention for its merits of high-efficiency, low-cost and energy-saving. However, some drawbacks still restrict the application, including poor hydrophilicity, low permeability and severe membrane fouling. Thus, improving the performances of the ultrafiltration membrane is urgently required.

Methods: This paper reviews recent literatures and patents on the synthesis and applications of graphene-based ultrafiltration membranes. The goal in this work is to provide deep insight into the selection of graphene-based materials, structural design and methods of graphene-based mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs) and the substrate supported graphene-based membranes.

Results: Various drawbacks in traditional ultrafiltration membranes such as obvious protein adsorption, severe membrane fouling and poor hydrophilicity can be reduced through incorporating graphene-based nanomaterials into polymer membranes. It is confirmed by putting forward to some applications in water purification, antibacterial membranes, membrane bioreactors and protein separation.

Conclusion: Graphene-based materials introduced into membrane materials have shown that they can effectively increase the permeability, antifouling and antibacterial properties of membranes. In this review, we anticipate to provide a useful insight into the design and synthesis of graphene-based ultrafiltration membranes, and hope that a new avenue can be opened to develop high quality ultrafiltration membranes in separation process.

Cite this article as:

Zhang Xu , Xu Zehai, Wang Ling, Wang Xinyan , Zeng Yong and Zhang Guoliang*, Graphene-Based Ultrafiltration Membranes for Separation: Synthesis and Applications, Recent Patents on Engineering 2018; 12 (1) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1872212111666170418115916