Multifunctional fly ash-based GO/geopolymer composite membrane for efficient oil-water separation and dye degradation

Membrane fouling and separation materials with low cost and high efficiency are challenges for membrane separation technology in wastewater treatment. Superhydrophilic and underwater superoleophobic membranes show broad application prospects in oily wastewater treatment because of their high permeability, selectivity, and antifouling performance; however, they are generally ineffective for organic pollutant molecules. In this study, a novel graphene oxide (GO)/geopolymer composite membrane with superhydrophilic and underwater superoleophobic characteristics was prepared by dipping a mixed slurry of GO and fly ash-based geopolymer onto a stainless steel mesh via a facile self-assembly process. The results show that GO could adjust the hydrophilicity and water flux of composite membranes. The composite membrane containing 0.4 wt% GO (4GO/GCM) had the best hydrophilic, water flux of 1363 kg/(m²·h), and high separation efficiencies (≥98.2%) for oil-water mixtures and oil-in-water emulsions under gravity-driven. In addition, the 4GO/GCM sample exhibited excellent stability under harsh conditions, including hot water and strong acid, alkali, and salt solutions. Importantly, the sample derived from fly ash exhibited unique photocatalytic degradation performance for organic dye molecules under simulated solar-light irradiation. Thus, it is believed to this strategy has substantial potential for high-value utilization of fly ash and the sustainable treatment of oily and dye wastewater.