Membrane properties and anti-bacterial/anti-biofouling activity of polysulfone–graphene oxide composite membranes phase inversed in graphene oxide non-solvent

Abstract

A new and facile method for the fabrication of polysulfone–graphene oxide composite membranes is reported, where after casting, phase inversion is carried out with graphene oxide flakes (GO) in a coagulation bath. The membranes were characterized and the morphology was analysed using scanning electron microscopy. A bacterial inhibition ratio of 74.5% was observed with membranes fabricated from a very low concentration of di-water–GO non-solvent (0.048% of GO). The membranes were successfully tested for permeate flux and fouling resistance using activated sludge filtration from an MBR system. The observed trend shows that GO can operate as a protective barrier for membrane pores against the bacterial community. To our knowledge this is the first time where the immersion precipitation mechanism was carried out in a coagulation bath with GO flakes under continuous stirring. Using this method, a very low concentration of GO is required to fabricate membranes with conventional GO composite membrane properties and better selectivity.