Graphene oxide- polysulfone nanocomposite membranes for diclofenac removal

Pharmaceutical and Personal Care products (PPCPs) are emerging contaminants frequently present in wastewater that represent a menace for both environment and human health. Diclofenac sodium, one of the most commonly used PPCPs, has attracted worldwide attention given its low biodegradability and ecological damage. In this study, the attention was focused on the preparation and characterization of PSF-GO blended nanocomposite membranes to use for the removal of diclofenac from water. Different techniques such as SEM, FT-IR, Raman spectroscopy, contact angle measurements, and mechanical tests were used to characterize the membranes. The addition of GO (0.25 and 0.50 wt %) into the polymeric matrix improved the hydrophilicity and the mechanical properties. In addition, the membranes exhibited higher porous structure due to the hydrophilic nature of GO that induced an increased non-solvent-solvent exchange rate. All these positive characteristics improved the membrane performance in terms of water permeability, diclofenac rejection (84% using as feed a DCF concentration of 6 mgL−1), and antifouling property.