138
S. Pakdel et al.
mechanical and physical properties and outstanding membrane performance [102,
130, 131]. Furthermore, the rGO is characterized by a low number of oxygen functional groups, which signifies that rGO possesses a better compatibilization influence on the mixed matrix membrane compared with pure graphene and can be easily
dispersed in the composite [132, 133].
5 Research Gaps
According to several researches, GO nanocomposite membranes have displayed
good separation performance in several applications such as water treatment, gas
separation, and fuel cell. However, the stability of GO composite membrane has
not been tested at a wide scale and future study is necessary for ensuring whether
GO/rGO would not be leached from the membrane during operation. Adding crosslinker to bind the GO inter-sheets and polymer matrix could increase the stability of
the membrane. Another important factor is to consider the optimization of the GO
loading into the polymer matrix [122]. Despite the several preparation methods for
fabricating the graphene-based nanocomposite membrane, new avant-grade methods
are expected to be developed for decreasing the preparation cost and also be friendly
to the ecosystem [102]. The design and fabrication of new polymer–GO nanocomposite membrane should be encouraged to further leveraging the nanocomposite
membrane performance for effective water purification. It would replace our dependency on traditional hydrophobic membranes, which have low water permeability,
selectivity, and lifetime.
6 Conclusions
GO and rGO have proven to be efficient nanofillers in polymer nanocomposite
membranes due to their ideal material properties and dispersibility in polymer matrix.
Being a low-cost material and their availability for mass production, GO/rGO has
been widely used in water purification system. They improved the mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties of nanocomposites, which are better than many types
of traditional filler materials. These advantages of GO/rGO fillers originate from
their large surface area for efficient heat/electrical conduction and load transfer as
well as the 2D functionable surfaces for the strong matrix/filler interactions. Among
the various nanocomposite preparation methods, in situ polymerization and melt
processing are the popular methods of the polymer–GO/rGO nanocomposite preparation. A significant number of polymer–GO/rGO nanocomposites have been successfully fabricated using these methods. The results of experimental works reveal that the
dispersion of the nanofiller in the membrane matrix and process conditions can positively influence the final properties of nanocomposites. The appropriate incorporation
S. Pakdel et al.
mechanical and physical properties and outstanding membrane performance [102,
130, 131]. Furthermore, the rGO is characterized by a low number of oxygen functional groups, which signifies that rGO possesses a better compatibilization influence on the mixed matrix membrane compared with pure graphene and can be easily
dispersed in the composite [132, 133].
5 Research Gaps
According to several researches, GO nanocomposite membranes have displayed
good separation performance in several applications such as water treatment, gas
separation, and fuel cell. However, the stability of GO composite membrane has
not been tested at a wide scale and future study is necessary for ensuring whether
GO/rGO would not be leached from the membrane during operation. Adding crosslinker to bind the GO inter-sheets and polymer matrix could increase the stability of
the membrane. Another important factor is to consider the optimization of the GO
loading into the polymer matrix [122]. Despite the several preparation methods for
fabricating the graphene-based nanocomposite membrane, new avant-grade methods
are expected to be developed for decreasing the preparation cost and also be friendly
to the ecosystem [102]. The design and fabrication of new polymer–GO nanocomposite membrane should be encouraged to further leveraging the nanocomposite
membrane performance for effective water purification. It would replace our dependency on traditional hydrophobic membranes, which have low water permeability,
selectivity, and lifetime.
6 Conclusions
GO and rGO have proven to be efficient nanofillers in polymer nanocomposite
membranes due to their ideal material properties and dispersibility in polymer matrix.
Being a low-cost material and their availability for mass production, GO/rGO has
been widely used in water purification system. They improved the mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties of nanocomposites, which are better than many types
of traditional filler materials. These advantages of GO/rGO fillers originate from
their large surface area for efficient heat/electrical conduction and load transfer as
well as the 2D functionable surfaces for the strong matrix/filler interactions. Among
the various nanocomposite preparation methods, in situ polymerization and melt
processing are the popular methods of the polymer–GO/rGO nanocomposite preparation. A significant number of polymer–GO/rGO nanocomposites have been successfully fabricated using these methods. The results of experimental works reveal that the
dispersion of the nanofiller in the membrane matrix and process conditions can positively influence the final properties of nanocomposites. The appropriate incorporation