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Fabrication and performance analysis of graphene oxide-based composite membrane to separate microplastics from synthetic wastewater
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Researchers built a filter membrane from graphene oxide and polyvinyl alcohol and tested it in a lab on water containing microplastic particles from HDPE plastic. Under specific lab conditions, the membrane removed 95% of these microplastics, working through surface charge effects and physical filtering.
Abstract The pervasiveness of microplastics (MPs) are jeopardizing the entire environment and need to be eradicated immediately. With such an aim, this study is highlighting the fabrication of graphene oxide (GO) - polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) based composite membrane to separate high-density polyethylene (HDPE)-based MPs from water. Here, the GO layers were stabled through the bonding with PVA by using glutaraldehyde followed by the deposition on cellulose membrane via vacuum filtration. The bonding between GO and PVA via acetalization was confirmed by FTIR while surface morphology of composite membrane was analyzed by SEM. However, during experimentation, further analysis with contact angle and zeta potential measurements were carried out to confirm the hydrophilicity and negative surface charge of membrane respectively. To control membrane thickness, optimum volume of GO-PVA composite solution was used to achieve high water flux as well as high rejection of MPs. Regarding the evaluation of membrane performance, dead-end filtration system was considered. Particularly, at pH 8, with 3.5 bar of transmembrane pressure, and 15s time duration 95% HDPE rejection was noticed while the highest permeability of fabricated membrane was 179 L m− 2 h− 1 bar − 1. The mechanisms for MP removal were electrostatic repulsion between membrane surface and MPs along with sieving capacity. So, these finding are highlighting the promising approaches of GO-based composite membrane to separate HDPE-based MPs from wastewater.
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Fabrication and performance analysis of graphene oxide-based composite membrane to separate microplastics from synthetic wastewater
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This study fabricated a graphene oxide/polyvinyl alcohol composite membrane on a cellulose support for removing high-density polyethylene microplastics from water. FTIR confirmed acetalization bonding between GO and PVA, and performance testing demonstrated effective microplastic separation from synthetic wastewater.
Synergistic role and performance of graphene oxide–polyvinyl alcohol porous composite membranes for microplastic removal from synthetic wastewater
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Scientists created a new filter membrane using graphene oxide and a common plastic-safe polymer, designed to trap microplastics from water. In tests, it removed over 90% of one common plastic type (HDPE, found in bottles and containers) and up to 78% of another (polystyrene, used in packaging and foam), and it could be reused multiple times while still working fairly well. This matters because microplastics are increasingly found in our drinking water and bodies, and better filtration technology like this could eventually help reduce our exposure to these pollutants — though the filter still needs improvement before it's ready for widespread use.
Exploring treatment efficiency of graphene derivatives as adsorbents for removal of microplastics in water
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Researchers tested three forms of graphene — graphene oxide, graphene foam, and reduced graphene oxide — as filters for removing microplastics from water, achieving removal efficiencies of up to 95% in lab conditions. Reduced graphene oxide performed best, though all three materials showed promise as next-generation water treatment adsorbents that could help tackle microplastic contamination at the source.
Performance of polyvinyl alcohol graphene oxide membrane for microplastic removal in wastewater with an IoT based monitoring approach
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Researchers developed a polyvinyl alcohol-graphene oxide membrane combined with IoT-based real-time monitoring to improve microplastic removal from wastewater treatment plants. Conventional treatment plants in the study achieved only about 84% microplastic removal, leaving significant amounts entering natural water bodies. The membrane filtration system coupled with continuous monitoring showed promise for improving microplastic capture rates in wastewater treatment.
Superb microplastics separation performance of graphene oxide tuned by laser bombardment
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Researchers developed a graphene oxide membrane treated with laser bombardment that can efficiently filter microplastics from water. The laser treatment created smaller, more textured graphene sheets with improved water flow and plastic-capturing ability, achieving over 99% removal of microplastics in a single pass. This approach avoids the use of additional nanoparticles that could cause secondary pollution, making it a cleaner alternative for water treatment.
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