preparation and characterization of an antifouling polyethersulfone nanofiltration membrane blended with graphene oxide/ag nanoparticles

Graphene oxide/ag nanoparticles (ag/go) was prepared and employed to synthesize antifouling polyethersulfone (pes) mixed matrix membranes. the performance of the membranes was evaluated in terms of flux, hydrophilicity and anti-biofouling properties. with increment of the ag/go from 0 to 0.1 wt.%, the pure water flux increased from 24.7 up to 54.1 kg/m^2 h. the flux recovery ratio (frr) of the membranes was performed using milk powder solution and the results illustrated that the 0.1 wt.% ag/go membrane had the best fouling resistance with the frr value of 95.45%. the performance of the nanofiltration was assessed using the retention of direct red 16. it was indicated that the ag/go-pes membranes have remarkable dye removal (98.38% rejection). the anti-biofouling activities of the 0.1 wt.% ag/go mixed matrix membrane was also investigated using activated sludge and the results showed a notable improvement.