Graphene Nanomaterials in Membrane-Based Water Treatment: Biofouling Mitigation and Antimicrobial Mechanisms

Speaker: 
Francois Perreault
Seminar Date: 
Friday, February 27, 2015 - 12:00pm
Location: 
BECTON SEMINAR ROOM See map
Prospect Street
New Haven, CT

Abstract: Fouling of membranes by microorganisms is a major limiting factor in membrane-based water treatment. Membrane biofouling reduces permeate water flux and membrane selectivity, resulting in increased operation costs for membrane processes. Traditional biofilm control strategies are not compatible with the polyamide thin-film composite membranes used in advanced membrane technologies and therefore, for these membranes, novel biofilm mitigation strategies are required. In this seminar, the potential of graphene for biofouling control in membrane processes is explored. The unique physicochemical properties of graphene oxide are used to impart antimicrobial and antifouling properties to membranes via a surface functionalization approach. Graphene oxide functionalized membranes are shown to successfully reduce biofilm formation on membranes without altering the membrane transport properties. The antimicrobial and antifouling mechanisms of graphene oxide are then described, providing a fundamental insight into the interactions of graphene oxide with organic and biological foulants

Host: 
Paul Fleury
Seminar Announcement Brochure: 

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