Graphene-based novel formulations as large-area nanofiltration membranes and mesoporous capacitive deionization electrodes for water desalination

POSTER

Abstract

In this work, we developed large-area nanofiltration membranes using 1) shear aligned discotic nematic phase of graphene oxide and 2) holey graphenes with narrow hole size distribution via controlled catalytic oxidation. We also prepared interconnected network of mesoporous graphene-based electrodes to achieve optimal desalination during capacitive deionization (CDI) of brackish water, attributed to higher specific surface area, electrical conductivity, good wettability of water, environmentally safe, efficient pathways for ion and electron transportation, as potential successor of current filtration membranes. The pressure driven transport data on highly ordered, continuous, thin films of multi-layered graphene oxide and holey graphene is expected to demonstrate faster transport for salt water, higher retention for charged and uncharged organic probe molecules with hydrated radii above 5{\AA} as well as modest retention of mono- and di-valent salts for \textasciitilde 150 nm thick membranes. The highly ordered graphene nanosheets and nanoscaled porous graphene in the plane of the membrane make organized, molecule-hugging cylindrical and spherical channels, respectively, thus enhance the permeability and hydrodynamic conductivity. The results illustrate that both the macro and nanoscale pores are favorable for enhancing CDI performance by buffering ions to reduce the diffusion distance from external electrolyte to the interior surfaces and enlarging surface area.

Authors

  • Sanju Gupta

    Western kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY 42101, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY 42101, Western Kentucky University

  • S.S. Gupta

    Department of Applied Mathematics & Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi 127788, UAE, Physics Department, Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49006, USA, National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA, Indian Institute of Technology Ropar, Nangal Road, Rupnagar (Ropar), Punjab 140 001, India, The Institute for Nuclear Research, Moscow, Davidson Coll, Western kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY 42101, Naval Postgraduate School, Austin Peay State University, Univ of Tennessee, Knoxville, University of Nebraska, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, University of West Georgia, Department of Physics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Center for High Pressure Science and Technology Advanced Research, Northwestern Univ, Univ of Virginia, Western Kentucky University, Physics Dept. Bowling Green, KY, Department of Physics, The University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley, TX 78539, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY 42101, Western Kentucky University, School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom, Austin Peay State Univ, University of Pardubice, Clemson University, Appalachian State Univ, Department of Physics, University of West Georgia, Department of Geosciences, University of West Georgia, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Georgia State University, Francis Marion University, The Pennsylvania State University, Auburn University, Department of Physics & Astronomy, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Department of Physics, Brigham Young University-Idaho, Rexburg, Idaho, Department of Physics,North Carolina State University, William Mong Institute of Nano Science and Technology, MSTD, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Vanderbilt University, Univ of Bristol, University of Alabama in Birmingham, Georgia Institute of Technology, Sandia National Laboratories, University of South Florida

  • S.S. Gupta

    Department of Applied Mathematics & Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi 127788, UAE, Physics Department, Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49006, USA, National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA, Indian Institute of Technology Ropar, Nangal Road, Rupnagar (Ropar), Punjab 140 001, India, The Institute for Nuclear Research, Moscow, Davidson Coll, Western kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY 42101, Naval Postgraduate School, Austin Peay State University, Univ of Tennessee, Knoxville, University of Nebraska, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, University of West Georgia, Department of Physics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Center for High Pressure Science and Technology Advanced Research, Northwestern Univ, Univ of Virginia, Western Kentucky University, Physics Dept. Bowling Green, KY, Department of Physics, The University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley, TX 78539, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY 42101, Western Kentucky University, School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom, Austin Peay State Univ, University of Pardubice, Clemson University, Appalachian State Univ, Department of Physics, University of West Georgia, Department of Geosciences, University of West Georgia, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Georgia State University, Francis Marion University, The Pennsylvania State University, Auburn University, Department of Physics & Astronomy, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Department of Physics, Brigham Young University-Idaho, Rexburg, Idaho, Department of Physics,North Carolina State University, William Mong Institute of Nano Science and Technology, MSTD, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Vanderbilt University, Univ of Bristol, University of Alabama in Birmingham, Georgia Institute of Technology, Sandia National Laboratories, University of South Florida