Multifunctional Graphene-Based Nanomaterials for Removal of Diverse Water Contaminants

Importance of the quality of potable water is becoming more critical to the health and safety of the world’s population as widespread water crisis and risks of natural and man-made contamination are rising all around the world. Limitations of the conventional water treatment techniques has drawn attention of researchers to finding alternative methods of water treatment and contaminant removal. Based on these premises, with the increasing interest in sustainable, less energy-intensive technologies, graphene-based nanomaterials have gained a lot of attention due to their unique properties in a wide range of applications. From a wide array of materials, graphene and graphene oxide (GO) have taken a central focus due to impressive physical and chemical properties, as well as its scalable production. In recent years, there has been a growing interest among scientists in incorporating graphene-based nanomaterials into polymer matrices to create biocompatible polymer nanocomposites with multi-functional properties, enhancing the intended performance, making them reliable for future applications. The present cascade of studies aims to explore the properties of graphene for biofouling control, as well as the inclusion of GO into a polymeric matrix to develop a new class of nanocomposite for contaminant removal. A novel technique to remove biofouling by laser irradiating biofouled graphene-coated membrane surfaces was developed. A laser beam was used to heat the graphene structure, resulting in the microbial fouling to burn out, allowing the modified membrane to be used for several filtration cycles. The method was successfully employed with environmental water samples to validate the possibility of more realistic applications. Later, the studies were focused on incorporating GO into a polymeric matrix containing chitosan (CS) and polyethyleneimine (PEI) to form nanocomposites as membrane coatings and beads. The optimized CS-PEI-GO nanocomposite effectively removed heavy metals, nitrate, and microorganisms, indicating their multifunctionality. The nanocomposite was tested against diverse water chemistries showing its stability and effectivity, paving the way to the development of a technology that is applicable in real-world situations.

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy

Level thesis:degree_level

Doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Environmental Engineering

Grantor

University of Houston

Year dc:date.issued

2019

Author dc:creator

• Bandara, Pasan Chinthana

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Rodrigues, Debora F.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Louie, Stacey M.
• Shaffer, Devin L.
• Krakowiak, Konrad J.
• Conrad, Jacinta C.

• Graphene
• Graphene oxide
• Nanocomposites
• Water purification

Statement dc:rights

• The author of this work is the copyright owner. UH Libraries and the Texas Digital Library have their permission to store and provide access to this work. UH Libraries has secured permission to reproduce any and all previously published materials contained in the work. Further transmission, reproduction, or presentation of this work is prohibited except with permission of the author(s).

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10657/5841

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:uh-ir.tdl.org:10657/5841