Graphene oxide-based nanohybrids incorporated in nanofiltration and reverse osmosis membranes for desalination and dye separation: a review

Novel advanced nanocomposites formed by associating graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets with other nanomaterials such as titanium dioxide nanoparticles, cellulose nanofibers, cellulose nanocrystals, and carbon nanotubes were incorporated in nanofiltration (NF) and reverse osmosis (RO) membranes for wastewater treatment and desalination. GO-based nanocomposite has promising potential in membrane technology due to its high hydrophilicity, absorption capacity, good dispersibility in water and organic solvents, anti-biofouling properties, and negative charge. Moreover, additional properties can be obtained depending on the nanohybrid formed. This review paper highlights the recent breakthrough in membranes functionalized with GO-based nanohybrids, focusing on membrane performance in terms of permeability, selectivity, and antifouling properties. Although GO-based nanohybrids have made significant progress in membrane technology, improvements are still needed, especially regarding trade-off effects. Furthermore, the studies presented here are limited to laboratory scale, which leads to suggestions for new studies evaluating the possibility of commercial application and the potential environmental impact caused by nanocomposites.