Scalable and highly selective graphene-based ion-exchange membranes with tunable permselectivity

Graphene oxide (GO) membranes have been proved to be ion-selective thanks to their oxidized functional groups, which are naturally present on its surface. This ion selectivity, together with good mechanical strength, low cost, and simple synthesis, makes GO a great alternative material to conventional costly polymers for the production of ion-exchange membranes. This work focuses on how to produce GO membranes as ion-exchange membranes with a scalable approach and tunable permselectivity. Their physicochemical properties were subsequently investigated by means of selected characterization techniques. Results showed that GO membranes present good ion selectivity and size exclusion towards monovalent cations, reaching a permselectivity of up to 96%. Interestingly, UV-light irradiation of GO membranes can also be proposed as a green reduction method. GO reduction increases the permselectivity due to both a decrease in the dimension of the nanochannels and a reduction in the swelling degree of the membranes. The addition of binders was also investigated to improve the membranes' mechanical properties. Finally, the ionic resistance of the membranes was measured by impedance spectroscopy, achieving 4.6 Ω cm², orders of magnitude lower than the state-of-the-art graphene oxide-based membranes.

Anna Aixalà-Perelló, Alessandro Pedico, Marco Laurenti, Enrica Fontananova, Sergio Bocchini, Ivan Vito Ferrari, Andrea Lamberti