Mechanically Strengthened Graphene Oxide: Covalent Organic Framework Membranes for Monovalent/Divalent Cation Selectivity via Electrodialysis
Source abstract
Abstract
High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide Electrodialysis is an energy efficient method for water desalination and resource recovery; however, the lack of ion selectivity in conventional ion-exchange membranes limits its performance, particularly in separating monovalent and divalent cations. In this study, we present the design and fabrication of mechanically reinforced graphene oxide (GO)–covalent organic framework (COF) composite membranes with variable selectivity for monovalent over divalent cations, enhancing the performance of electrodialysis processes. The composite membranes, created by stacking GO and sulfonate-functionalized COF nanosheets, exhibit a nacre-inspired “brick-and-mortar” structure that imparts mechanical robustness and high ion selectivity. By adjusting the GO-to- COF ratio, we achieved varying Na + /Ca 2+ and Li + /Ca 2+ selectivity ratios, reaching up to 15.34 and 6.99, respectively, without compromising the charge efficiency (greater than 75%). The membranes have also shown good stability in synthetic hypersaline brine. These results demonstrate the potential of GO/COF membranes for high-performance, energy-efficient ion separation in electrodialysis, offering a promising solution for desalination, wastewater treatment, and resource recovery.
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Research context
OpenAlex topics: Membrane-based Ion Separation Techniques · Membrane Separation Technologies · Covalent Organic Framework Applications
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
NSF Nanosystems Engineering Research Center Nanotechnology-Enabled Water Treatment, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
Department of Materials Science and NanoEngineering, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4. Roosevelt Rd., Taipei 10617, Taiwan
Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
Rice Advanced Materials Institute, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
Rice WaTER Institute, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
Department of Chemistry, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
Funding
Welch Foundation · Division of Engineering Education and Centers · U.S. Department of the Interior
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