Abstract
Membrane-based separation technology has captivated great interest in many fields because of its advantages; mainly, easy-operation, energy-efficiency, low-cost and environmental friendly. Fouling due to low hydrophilicity and low overall flux has remained challenges faced using this technology. This study used polyethersulfone (PES) membrane as a support for thin film composite (TFC) membrane developed using controlled fabrication processes such as adding inorganic fillers and organic molecules. Graphene oxide (GO) has demonstrated extraordinary potential in the membrane based separation because of its high mechanical strength, high chemical inertness, frictionless surface, cost effective production and its two dimensional nature with single atomic thick structure, was utilised as a building block for the inorganic fillers. Metal organic framework fillers with their porous and high surface area were grown on the GO nanosheets resulting in their complete exfoliation with minimal stacking and good dispersion. Varying ratios of HKUST-1 and GO in HKUST- 1@GO ((0.1, 0.5, 0.9 and1):1) at different filler concentrations were incorporated into the polyamide thin film layer resulting in nanofiltration membranes with enhanced performance...
M.Sc. (Chemistry)