Graphene Oxide Separation Membrane for Volatile Contaminant Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional membrane distillation methods are ineffective in removing volatile contaminants due to their design, which allows these contaminants to pass through the separation membrane, while being effective for non-volatile contaminants.
Innovation Solution
A separation membrane comprising a hydrophobic membrane with a graphene oxide layer, where one surface of the hydrophobic membrane is hydrophilic-processed to enhance coupling with the graphene oxide layer, allowing only vapor to pass through while preventing volatile contaminants, thereby improving removal efficiency for both volatile and non-volatile contaminants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a graphene oxide layer is added to the hydrophobic membrane, then volatile contaminant removal is improved, but the structure and complexity of the membrane increases
Solution Approach 1:
The graphene oxide layer is formed as a porous or defect-containing structure that allows vapor transport while blocking volatile contaminants. The porous nature of the graphene oxide layer maintains membrane permeability and reduces structural complexity compared to a dense, non-porous barrier layer. The controlled porosity enables the layer to function as an effective selective barrier without requiring complex multi-layer constructions.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of creating a completely new complex membrane system, the invention extracts and applies a specific functional layer (graphene oxide) onto the existing hydrophobic membrane. This approach adds only the necessary functional component for volatile contaminant removal while retaining the simple, effective structure of the original membrane for non-volatile contaminant removal, thereby minimizing overall system complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The graphene oxide layer effectively enhances the removal efficiency of volatile contaminants while maintaining the high removal efficiency of non-volatile contaminants, overcoming the limitations of conventional hydrophobic membranes and improving water treatment processes.
Implementation Method 1
a hydrophobic membrane; liquid materials are separated from the surface of the separation membrane without passing through pores of the separation membrane
Implementation Method 2
a phase change occurs from the surface of a separation membrane of a hydrophobic polymer, vapor passes through the surface of the separation member through micro holes
Implementation Method 3
performed by a partial pressure difference between vapor disposed at one side of a separation membrane and vapor disposed at another side thereof
Implementation Method 4
The graphene oxide layer may have a thickness of 1 nm ̃2 um; allowing only vapor to pass through while preventing volatile contaminants
Implementation Method 5
one surface of the hydrophobic membrane facing the graphene oxide layer has been hydrophilic-processed
Implementation Method 6
the transmitted vapor is condensed to be separated
Data Source
AI summary
A separation membrane for removing contaminants comprises: a hydrophobic membrane; and a graphene oxide layer formed to cover the hydrophobic membrane partially or wholly, wherein one surface of the hydrophobic membrane facing the graphene oxide layer has been hydrophilic-processed. The separation membrane is capable of enhancing removal efficiency on volatile contaminants, while maintaining a performance of the conventional separation membrane. The separation membrane is useful as a separation membrane for water treatment. Further, the separation membrane may be comprised in a membrane distillation apparatus, or may be utilized as a filter of a humidifier or a water purifier.