Graphene oxide incorporated polyether sulfone nanocomposite antifouling ultrafiltration membranes with enhanced hydrophilicity

Abstract In this study, the polyether sulfone (PES) based membranes containing various concentrations of graphene oxide (GO), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and polyethylene glycol (PEG) were synthesized via phase immersion method. This study aims to evaluate effect GO addition on structural properties performance membranes. The analyzed by x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). FTIR-ATR spectra indicated presence hydroxyl carboxylic acid groups surface GO-incorporated membranes, which improved their dispersion in polymeric matrix hydrophilicity. SEM analysis GO-containing PES confirmed formation a well-defined finger-like porous structure presenting adequate water flux (95 l.m –2 .h –1 ) salt rejection (72%) compared pristine (46 ∼35%, respectively). addition, significantly large wettability considerably antibacterial characteristic (against S. aureus E. coli strains GO-PES are considered impressive features.