Development of anisotropic nanofibrous hybrid membranes coated with upcycled graphene for enhanced adsorption of emerging contaminants from drinking water

Official URL: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2025.122086

Nanofibrous membranes are widely recognized for their outstanding separation efficiency and represent a promising solution to the global water crisis. However, challenges such as suboptimal dimensional design and weak interfacial stability must be addressed through innovative structural strategies and effective additive incorporation. To this end, a novel, thick, anisotropic hybrid membrane was developed in this study by synergistically combining electrospinning and salt-leaching techniques, allowing precise control over membrane thickness and internal pore architecture while achieving a remarkable porosity of 93.5 %. The successful incorporation of upcycled graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) through a multistep process enhanced pollutant adsorption and optimized interactions between GNPs and contaminants through the tailored multiscale structure. This design led to outstanding adsorption performance, with removal efficiencies of 99 % for ofloxacin, 97 % for bisphenol A, 88 % for caffeine, 72 % for paracetamol, and 36 % for iopamidol. Under dynamic flow conditions, a high adsorption capacity (1.2 mg/g) was maintained even at low contaminant concentrations, while excellent reusability and minimal GNP release confirmed strong nanoparticle adhesion. These findings underscore the strong potential of the developed membrane for real-world environmental remediation, highlighting its advanced functionality. Moreover, the use of biodegradable, non-toxic polymers and upcycled GNPs enhances the overall sustainability of the system, positioning it as a promising next-generation technology for effective and environmentally responsible water treatment.