Electrically-charged recyclable graphene flakes entangled with electrospun nanofibers for the adsorption of organics for water purification

Abstract

Graphene flakes were entrapped between nylon 6 nanofiber layers and the resulting assembly was used as a recyclable water purification membrane. Water purification was achieved via adsorption of the model organic pollutant (methylene blue; MB) on the surface of the graphene component. Desorption of these MB molecules was achieved by applying high voltage, which increased the removal efficiency of the recycled membrane. The adsorption and desorption mechanisms were evaluated in detail. The material characteristics of the membrane were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, Raman, UV–visible, and Fourier transform infrared analyses.