(399y) High Performance Ultrafiltration Membrane with Cysteine-Functionalized Graphene Oxides for Sustainable Water Production

Ultrafiltration membranes based on Polyethersulfone (PES) nanocomposites with cysteine-modified graphene oxides (CysGO) were prepared and their separation performance was investigated. Graphene oxides were functionalized with cysteine, zwitterionic amino acid, to enhance hydrophilicity. The modification of graphene oxides carried out through thiol-ene click reaction. PES nanocomposites membranes containing different concentration of CysGO were prepared by non-solvent induced phase separation (NIPS) method. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images indicated all membranes showed a typical thin active layer and a finger-like support layer. Water contact angle was measured to characterize the surface hydrophilicity of prepared membranes. As CysGO was added, a compact and tight water layer adjacent to the surface of membrane was formed, which showed enhanced hydrophilicity. The filtration performance of obtained membranes was evaluated by a dead-end filtration cell test. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) solution was used for model foulants. The presence of CysGO tended to enhance fouling resistance of membrane since zwitterionic moieties of CysGO inhibited absorption of BSA protein on membranes. The flux of membranes decreased with the introduction of CysGO since the extra wall of CysGO was induced on the membrane.