Dramatic Improvement in Ionic Conductivity and Water Desalination Efficiency of SGO Composite Membranes

Abstract

Energy efficient membranes of SGO (Sulfonated Graphene Oxide) into SPES (Sulfonated Polyethersulfone) matrix have been prepared containing different weight content of SGO. Proton conductivity and water retention capacity of membranes increases by increasing SGO while degree of swelling decreases. TEM micrograph shows the uniform distribution of SGO throughout the membrane. SGO-5 membrane shows the maximum proton conductivity (5.8 x 10⁻² S/cm), which is almost double to the SPES with higher stability. SGO-5 membrane shows 4.73 mole.m⁻²h⁻¹ ionic flux, 0.98 kWhkg⁻¹ power consumption and 93.1% current-efficiency for salt removal, which are 62% and 15.2% higher, respectively, while 16% lower power consumption is observed as compared to SPES.

Keywords:

• poly(ether sulfone)
• graphene oxide
• proton conductivity
• thermo-mechanical properties
• water desalination