Synthesis and Characterization of Novel PVA Reverse Osmosis Membranes Incorporated with Graphene Oxide

Unique Poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) based reverse osmosis (RO) membranes will be synthesized for water desalination. Graphene Oxide (GO) and Pluronic F-127 will be conjugated/incorporated with crosslinked PVA to fabricate thin film membranes. The overall RO performance of the membranes including surface morphology, surface chemistry, hydrophilicity and surface roughness, will be characterized using SEM, ATR-FTIR, AFM and CA goniometer. Water permeability, salt rejection, Chlorine resistance and biofouling resistance will be evaluated using an RO filtration unit. The conjugation of Pluronic F-127 and GO is expected to improve the overall RO performance of the membranes.