Effect of graphene oxide quantum dots on the interfacial polymerization of a thin-film nanocomposite forward osmosis membrane: An experimental and molecular dynamics study

Akther, N; Kawabata, Y; Lim, S; Yoshioka, T; Phuntsho, S; Matsuyama, H; Shon, HK

Effect of graphene oxide quantum dots on the interfacial polymerization of a thin-film nanocomposite forward osmosis membrane: An experimental and molecular dynamics study

Akther, N

Kawabata, Y Lim, S Yoshioka, T Phuntsho, S

Matsuyama, H Shon, HK

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Publisher:: Elsevier BV
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Journal of Membrane Science, 2021, 630, pp. 119309-119309
Issue Date:: 2021-07-15

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Akther, N https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8706-9542
dc.contributor.author	Kawabata, Y
dc.contributor.author	Lim, S
dc.contributor.author	Yoshioka, T
dc.contributor.author	Phuntsho, S https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3917-3916
dc.contributor.author	Matsuyama, H
dc.contributor.author	Shon, HK
dc.date.accessioned	2021-04-26T07:17:05Z
dc.date.available	2021-04-26T07:17:05Z
dc.date.issued	2021-07-15
dc.identifier.citation	Journal of Membrane Science, 2021, 630, pp. 119309-119309
dc.identifier.issn	0376-7388
dc.identifier.issn	1873-3123
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/148397
dc.description.abstract	We report an ultra-low loading of graphene oxide quantum dots (GQDs) into the polyamide (PA) layer of an outer-selective hollow fiber (OSHF) thin-film composite (TFC) membrane using the vacuum-assisted interfacial polymerization (VAIP) technique to improve the water permeability of OSHF TFC membranes without sacrificing membrane selectivity. Experimental results showed that GQD loading in the PA layer influenced membrane performance. The membrane with a GQD loading of 5 mg L (TFN5) demonstrated an optimal water flux of 30.9 L m h and a specific reverse solute flux (SRSF) of 0.12 g L . To investigate the effect of GQDs on the interfacial polymerization (IP) reaction and membrane performance, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation was employed at the water-hexane and water-PA interfaces. The simulation results showed that GQDs decreased the reaction rate during the IP process by reducing the diffusivities of m-phenylenediamine (MPD) and trimesoyl chloride (TMC). Additionally, GQDs reduced water permeability by acting as barriers to water molecules when present at a high concentration near the PA layer surface. At a very high loading, GQDs aggregated at the water-hexane interface and reduced the membrane selectivity by forming non-selective voids at the interface between the PA layer and GQDs. Together with the experimental findings, the MD simulation results delivered a good insight into the GQDs' effect on the TFC membrane's surface and transport properties at both macroscopic and microscopic levels. −1 −2 −1 −1
dc.language	en
dc.publisher	Elsevier BV
dc.relation	http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/DP210101361
dc.relation.ispartof	Journal of Membrane Science
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.memsci.2021.119309
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess
dc.subject	03 Chemical Sciences, 09 Engineering
dc.subject.classification	Chemical Engineering
dc.title	Effect of graphene oxide quantum dots on the interfacial polymerization of a thin-film nanocomposite forward osmosis membrane: An experimental and molecular dynamics study
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	630
utslib.for	03 Chemical Sciences
utslib.for	09 Engineering
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology/School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CTWW - Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater Treatment
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access	*
dc.date.updated	2021-04-26T07:16:58Z
pubs.publication-status	Accepted
pubs.volume	630

Abstract:

We report an ultra-low loading of graphene oxide quantum dots (GQDs) into the polyamide (PA) layer of an outer-selective hollow fiber (OSHF) thin-film composite (TFC) membrane using the vacuum-assisted interfacial polymerization (VAIP) technique to improve the water permeability of OSHF TFC membranes without sacrificing membrane selectivity. Experimental results showed that GQD loading in the PA layer influenced membrane performance. The membrane with a GQD loading of 5 mg L (TFN5) demonstrated an optimal water flux of 30.9 L m h and a specific reverse solute flux (SRSF) of 0.12 g L . To investigate the effect of GQDs on the interfacial polymerization (IP) reaction and membrane performance, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation was employed at the water-hexane and water-PA interfaces. The simulation results showed that GQDs decreased the reaction rate during the IP process by reducing the diffusivities of m-phenylenediamine (MPD) and trimesoyl chloride (TMC). Additionally, GQDs reduced water permeability by acting as barriers to water molecules when present at a high concentration near the PA layer surface. At a very high loading, GQDs aggregated at the water-hexane interface and reduced the membrane selectivity by forming non-selective voids at the interface between the PA layer and GQDs. Together with the experimental findings, the MD simulation results delivered a good insight into the GQDs' effect on the TFC membrane's surface and transport properties at both macroscopic and microscopic levels. −1 −2 −1 −1

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/148397