Ultralong hydroxyapatite-based forward osmosis membrane for freshwater generation
Mohamed Gamal Gomaa1,2, Hamdy Maamoun Abdel-Ghafar1(), Francesco Galiano3, Francesca Russo3, Alberto Figoli3, El-Sayed Ali Abdel-Aal1, Abdel-Hakim Taha Kandil2, Bahaa Ahmed Salah2
1. Central Metallurgical Research and Development Institute (CMRDI), 11421 Cairo, Egypt 2. Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Helwan University, 11795 Cairo, Egypt 3. Institute on Membrane Technology (CNR-ITM), 87036 Rende, Italy
Increasing global water shortages are accelerating the pace of membrane manufacturing, which generates many environmentally harmful solvents. Such challenges need a radical rethink of developing innovative membranes that can address freshwater production without generating environmentally harmful solvents. This work utilized the synthesized ultra-long hydroxyapatite (UHA) by the solvothermal method using the green solvent oleic acid in preparing UHA-based forward osmosis membranes. The membranes were developed using different loading ratios of graphene oxide (GO) by vacuum-assisted filtration technique. The prepared GO/UHA membranes were identified using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Water contact angle and pore size distribution were determined for the obtained GO/UHA membranes. The obtained hierarchical porous structure in the prepared membranes with interconnected channels results in a stable water flux with reverse salt flux. The best water flux rate of 42 ± 2 L·m–2·h–1 was achieved using the 50 mg GO/UHA membrane, which is 3.3 times higher than the pristine membrane, and a reverse salt flux of 67 g·m–2·h–1. The obtained results showed a promising capability of a new generation of sustainable inorganic-based membranes that can be utilized in freshwater generation by energy-efficient techniques such as forward osmosis.
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