Membranes prepared from graphene-based nanomaterials for water purification: A minireview

Abstract

Graphene-based nanomaterials (GBnMs) are currently regarded as a critical building block for the fabrication of membranes for water purification due to their advantageous properties such as easy surface modification of functional groups, adjustable interlayer pore channels for solvent transportation, robust mechanical properties, and superior photothermal capabilities. By combining graphene derivatives with other emerging materials, heteroatom doping and rational design into three-dimensional network can enhance the water transportation and evaporation rates through channels of GBnM laminates and such layered structures have been applied in various water purification technologies. Herein, this minireview summarizes recent progresses on the synthesis of GBnMs and their applications for water treatment technologies, specifically, nanofiltration (NF) and solar desalination (SD). Finally, personal perspectives on the challenges and future directions of this promising nanomaterials are also provided.