A super-hydrophilic partially reduced graphene oxide membrane with improved stability and antibacterial properties

Abstract

In order to improve stability and antibacterial property, a novel super-hydrophilic partially reduced graphene oxide membrane was prepared by interfacial polymerization of piperazine and partially reduced graphene oxide as aqueous solution and trimesoyl chloride as organic solution. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, and contact angle measurement were conducted to probe the morphology and properties of the membranes. The modified membrane possessed super-hydrophilicity, improved durability and swelling resistance. The optimized membrane had a molecular weight cut off of about 674 Da and possessed a pure water permeability of 49.86 L·m−2·h−1·MPa−1. The retention order of salts was Na2SO4 > MgSO4 > MgCl2 > Na2CO3 > CaCl2 > NaCl, while the rejection for four kinds of pharmaceuticals followed the order of ibuprofen (92%) > carbamazepine (87%) > amlodipine (80%) > atenolol (76%), indicating that the negatively charged membrane could improve the retention performance by the electrostatic repulsive effect. Moreover, the enhanced antibacterial performance of membrane attributed to the dual effects of the super-hydrophilicity and the tea polyphenols antibacterial material loading, which may alter the charge distribution on and within the membrane, leading to loss of cell viability. HIGHLIGHTS Polyamide NF membrane prepared with partially reduced graphene oxide.; Dopamine was used to reduce graphene oxide and stabilize the partially reduced graphene oxide.; The membrane had highly hydrophilic and stability.; Improved removal efficiency to both divalent ions and negatively charged pharmaceuticals.; Enhanced the antibacterial performance by the addition of tea polyphenols.;

Keywords

• antibacterial
• nanofiltration membrane
• partially reduced graphene oxide
• tea polyphenols