Flux-enhanced reduced graphene oxide (rGO)/PVDF nanofibrous membrane distillation membranes for the removal of boron from geothermal water

Bahriye Eryildiz, Bahar Ozbey-Unal, Elifnur Gezmis-Yavuz, Derya Y. Koseoglu-Imer, Bulent Keskinler, Ismail Koyuncu*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

34 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In this work, fabrication of PVDF nanofiber membrane with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) using electrospinning technique has been carried out to improve AGMD performance. Membrane morphology and different membrane characteristics such as contact angle, thickness, liquid entry pressure (LEP), young module, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and surface roughness of membrane were analyzed for the characterization of hydrophobic nanofiber membranes. Firstly, rGO/PVDF membranes with different rGO concentrations were produced using the electrospinning method. All fabricated rGO/PVDF membranes were characterized and used in the AGMD system for the treatment of saline water. Secondly, the selected optimum membrane according to characterization and filtration results was used in the AGMD system for the treatment of synthetic and real geothermal water. Results showed that all rGO membranes exhibit higher permeate water flux and salt rejection, lower permeate boron or salt concentration than pure PVDF membrane. In real geothermal water experiments, rGO/PVDF membrane (0.039 wt%) were improved permeate water flux from 19.20 to 30 L/m2.h, boron rejection from 96.89% to 98.16%. Also, permeate boron concentration was decreased using rGO/PVDF membrane (0.039 wt%) from 0.305 mg/L to 0.226 mg/L. As a result, fabricated rGO/PVDF membranes were achieved to the enhanced performance of the AGMD system.

Original languageEnglish
Article number119058
JournalSeparation and Purification Technology
Volume274
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Nov 2021

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021

Keywords

  • Air gap membrane distillation
  • Geothermal water
  • Nanofiber membrane
  • Reduced graphene oxide
  • Removal of boron

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