Facile hydrophilic chitosan and graphene oxide modified sustainable non-woven fabric composite sieve membranes (NWF@Cs/Gx): Antifouling, protein rejection, and oil-water emulsion separation studies

Over the last few decades, antifouling, protein rejection, and oil-water separations have become a challenge to technologists and environmentalists. In view of this, the proposed work reports formulation, characterization of facile hydrophilic chitosan-graphene oxide modified sustainable non-woven fabric-based sieve membranes (NWF@Cs/Gx) along with their application for antifouling, protein rejection, and multigrade oil-water emulsions separation studies. The surface morphology, diameter size of the fibers, and elemental analysis of the same were characterized with high-resolution microscopes (SEM), EDAX, and spectroscopically. The hydrophilicity of these membranes was investigated using contact angle and water uptake studies that exhibited pure water flux up to 165 L.m −2 .h −1 . These studies further confirmed the multigrade oil/water emulsions separation with 98% efficiency and more than 96% protein (Bovine Serum Albumin) rejection. These studies suggest that the formulated membranes may find application in the field of environmental, biological, and petroleum-based industries. • Cs and GO modified NWF as hydrophilic sustainable sieve membranes (NWF@Cs/Gx). • Presence of GO nanosheets in NWF@Cs enhanced the hydrophilic activity of membrane. • NWF@Cs/Gx membranes exhibit pH responsive chemical stability. • Membranes concurrently exhibit rejection of BSA and multigrade oil-water separation.