Surface Modification of Graphene Oxide and Investigation of Its Effects on Surface Properties of Aramid Membranes

To manufacture aramid thin-film-composite membrane for desalination application (reverse osmosis) via in situ interfacial polymerization, the different weight percents of modified graphene oxide were applied into the aramid layer during interfacial polymerization. The dispersion of the modified graphene oxide was investigated by X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Transition Electron Microscopy (TEM) methods. Also, the effect of the modified graphene oxide on the surface chemical composition and surface morphology of aramid membrane was investigated by Attenuated Total Reflectance-Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-IR), scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy, respectively. The results showed that in the presence of the modified graphene oxide, the interfacial polymerization reaction is transferred between the nanoparticles so the depth of surface porosity is increased strongly. In addition, the hydrophilic value of aramid layer in the presence of the modified graphene oxide firstly increased up to 0.15 wt% but with an increase in the modified graphene oxide percent at 0.2 wt%, the surface hydrophilicity decreased gradually. As a result, the optimum hydrophilic and morphological properties were observed in samples containing 0.15 wt% of modified graphene oxide.