Incorporation of graphene oxide-based nanocomposite in the polymeric membrane for water and wastewater treatment: A review on recent development

Wide applications of polymeric membranes are limited by their low selectivity, solution fluxes and fouling issues. Graphene oxide (GO)-based nanocomposite could be used to enhance the membrane performance owing to their large surface area, good chemical and mechanical properties. The alteration of membrane performance for water and wastewater treatment by the GO-based nanocomposites, however, are not detailed by the modified membrane characteristics. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the membrane performance modified by GO-based composites based on the alteration in membrane characteristics. Data from contact angle measurement, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy, Transmission electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy are employed in explaining the membrane performance such as solution flux, flux recovery, fouling tendency, retention capability and selectivity. GO-based nanocomposite membranes have revealed better fouling resistance, higher solute selectivity and solution flux than the unmodified membranes in water treatment. The embedment of GO-based nanofillers in ultrafiltration and nanofiltration polymeric membranes can significantly alter the membrane morphology, surface wettability and functional groups. In brief, GO-based nanocomposites are proven to be effective nanomaterials for water and wastewater treatment in the near future.