Exploiting Synergetic Effects of Graphene Oxide and a Silver-Based Metal–Organic Framework To Enhance Antifouling and Anti-Biofouling Properties of Thin-Film Nanocomposite Membranes

Abstract

Thin-film composite (TFC) membranes still suffer from fouling and biofouling. In this work, by incorporating a graphene oxide GO-silver-based metal-organic framework (Ag-MOF) into the TFC selective layer, we synthesized a thin-film nanocomposite (TFN) membrane that has notably-improved anti-biofouling and antifouling properties. The TFN membrane has a more negative surface charge, higher hydrophilicity, and higher water permeability compared to the TFC membrane. Fluorescence imaging revealed that the GO-Ag-MOF TFN membrane kills E.coli more than the Ag-MOF TFN, GO TFN, and pristine TFC membranes by 16%, 30%, and 92%, respectively. Forward osmosis experiments with E.coli and sodium alginate solutions showed that the GO-Ag-MOF TFN membrane by far has the lowest water flux reduction among the four membranes, proving the exceptional anti-biofouling and antifouling properties of the GO-Ag-MOF TFN membrane.