Development of Thin-Film Composite Membranes Incorporated With Graphene Oxide and Derivatives for Forward Osmosis Processes

Graphene oxide (GO) has been used to improve the anti-fouling and separation performance of the thin-film composite (TFC) membranes. Nonetheless, very few studies provided an in-depth explanation of the possible interaction between GO and polymer matrix that alter the membrane properties and performance. Thus, the overall aim of this study was to develop high-performance GO-based polyamide (PA) TFC forward osmosis (FO) membranes by systematically investigating the effect of GO and its derivatives on the modified membranes. First, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/GO hydrogel was coated on the PA surface to improve the membrane anti-fouling property. Second, the GO flake’s lateral size was reduced to decrease PA defects and improve membrane performance. Next, Aquaporin was added with GO in the PA layer to improve the membrane selectivity as Aquaporin healed the non-selective PA defects created by the GO flakes. Finally, the effect of GO quantum dots (GQDs) on the interfacial polymerization (IP) reaction and membrane performance at both macroscopic and microscopic levels was investigated both experimentally and using molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. GQDs decreased the IP reaction rate by reducing the diffusivities of PA monomers, reduced water permeability by acting as barriers to water molecules when present at a high concentration near the PA surface, and formed non-selective voids at the PA layer when present at very high loading.

Author dc:creator

• Akther, Nawshad

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• The author owns the copyright in this thesis including all reproduction and reuse rights for the work. The work may not be altered without the permission of the copyright owner. Attribution is essential when quoting or paraphrasing from this thesis.
• au.edu.uts.lib/ppc
• info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/149327

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:opus.lib.uts.edu.au:10453/149327