Molecular sieving through 'layer-by-layer' self-assembly of polyelectrolytes and highly crosslinked graphene oxide

Abstract Lack of access to potable water and abating levels ground level demands the reuse unconventional sources after remediating it in a sustainable way. In this context, purifying brackish, land sea seems feasible solution ever-growing population. work, novel composite membrane was fabricated by 'layer-by-layer' self-assembly poly-dopamine (PDA) polystyrene sulfonate (PSS) supported on highly crosslinked graphene oxide (GO) sieve ions purify contaminated as well enhance resistance towards chlorine. This GO sandwiched between layers various nanoporous polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) membranes obtained selectively etching out PMMA component from demixed blends. The blend were designed following melt-extrusion process subsequent quenching facilitate confined crystallization PVDF selective PMMA. with different pore sizes tuned varying composition blends gradient microstructure achieved stitching membranes. Pure flux, salt rejection, dye removal, antibacterial activity performed study membrane's efficiency. chemically methylenediamine impart dimensional stability rejection efficiency through nanoslits that offers. Besides effective modified ‘layer-by-layer’ polyelectrolytes surface improve chlorine tolerance performance. strategy resulted an excellent (about 95% 97% for monovalent divalent ion, respectively) (100% both cationic anionic dye), besides facilitating Moreover, showed superior antifouling properties (flux recovery ratio is more than 90%) performance (near about 3 log reduction). Thus concept using layer-by-layer polycations polyanions onto hierarchical proved be productive water. can potential candidate domestic industrial application.