(141c) Anti-Swelling Characteristics Are Enhanced in Mxene-Interlaced Graphene Oxide Membranes Due to Self-Cross-Linking

Membrane-based water purification holds immense promise in addressing the global challenge of ensuring safe and clean water access. Numerous studies have concentrated on developing nearly two-dimensional membranes for this purpose, employing an ion rejection technique. However, a significant hurdle in these materials lies in membrane swelling, jeopardizing their functionality, and using the proposed graphene oxide (GO) stack for desalination results in poor outcomes due to GO's high water affinity. Immersing the stack in water causes two to three layers of water molecules to intercalate between pores, leading to swelling and increased pore size and thereby, allowing salt atoms to permeate. To counter this, GO laminates are constrained from swelling using Self-Crosslinking of MXene-intercalated GO Membranes, MXene nanosheets, and GO alternate to form filtrating membranes, addressing the swelling issue in desalination. Presenting a breakthrough in addressing this critical issue, our study introduces a self-cross-linked MXene-intercalated GO membrane of thickness ~351 nm. This innovative membrane maintains its ion and dye rejection capabilities due to the robust physical cross-linking interaction between Ti and O and neighboring nanosheets, effectively curbing membrane swelling. Additionally, the formation of associative bonds further contributes to the inhibition of membrane swelling. To ensure the sustained performance of these membranes in practical applications, the resulting membrane demonstrates minimal swelling when immersed in solutions, ensuring the retention of its functionality. Even when challenged with varying concentrations of salt and dye, the membrane consistently rejects these contaminants over an extended period with >90% rejection rates. This longevity suggests that the proposed membranes possess the requisite durability for water filtration applications, marking a significant advancement in membrane technology focusing on anti-swelling properties.