Fabrication of efficient graphene oxide-based zirconium oxide nanocomposites for ultrafast nanofiltration membranes

Graphene-based membranes have extensive applications, including nanofiltration separation performances, but the efficient water flux and rejection rates are greatly challenging. The present study includes the synthesis of zirconium oxide (ZrO₂) nanoparticles and their use as the pillars among reduced graphene oxide (rGO) sheets of ZrO₂/rGO membranes. The citrus peel extract was used as the reducing and stabilizing agent in the nanoparticles synthesis and GO reduction. These nanoparticles enhanced both the water flux to 229 L m⁻² h⁻¹ bar⁻¹ and the rejection rate of molecular and salt species as 98% depending upon the size exclusion effect. Due to the outstanding chemical nature of ZrO₂/rGO membranes, these are highly stable in aqueous media including acidic and alkaline nature. Depending upon the performance of presently synthesized membranes, it can be anticipated that the deposited metal oxide/rGO membranes are highly advantageous industrially due to their efficient permeation and rejection activities.