Modification Effect of Nano-Graphene Oxide on Properties and Structure of Polysulfone Ultrafiltration Membrane

Abstract

In order to improve the purification properties of polysulfone (PSF) ultrafiltration membranes (UFM), nano-graphene oxide (nano-GO) was taken as modifier, and the physical blending process was adopted in our experiment. The microstructure, surface morphology and functional groups of modified UFM have been characterized respectively by scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and the static contact angle between the membrane surface and the water droplet has also been detected to show the change of its hydrophilicity. Through experiments, it has been found that modified UFM has larger and more developed finger micro-pores, and there exist a large number of -OH groups on its surface, and also its hydrophilicity has been enhanced. The result of the experiments show that the modified UFM may keep rejection above 97% and its water flux can be reached at about 219.1 L/(m2·h) under pressure of 1 bar if 0.4 wt% of nano-GO was added. Additionally, the nano-GO can increase the flux recovery radio (FRR) of the membranes, and the maximum FRR was observed as 74.4% if 0.3 wt% of nano-GO was appended.